I didn't realize when I laid my head on Link's shoulder. My eyes were closed; I was exhausted from traveling Hyrule with him. Battling monsters constantly was taking its toll on my body.

I was sitting to Link's left, leaning up against a tree on Hyrule Field. I were supposed to help keep watch with Link, but I just couldn't keep my eyes open…

The only thing that slightly woke I was when Link laid my head down in his lap so I could sleep easier.

When I finally opened my eyes, it was just past dawn.

I instantly recognized the girl who was approaching.

"Link!" I shook him awake after sitting up. "Link, its Malon!"

He opened his eyes to see my (e/c) orbs watching his, and then saw me point to Malon, but he noticed something in her stride that just wasn't right…

I turn and greet her with a sweet smile, while Link watched her every move suspiciously and reached for his sword…just in case he was right.

"Hi, (y/n)!" she chirped.

"Hey, Malon!" I laugh. "What are you doing so far away from the ranch?"

"Oh, Father sent me to do some business out here."

"Wha-"

"(Y/n), we have a long journey ahead of us. We better get going."

"Aww, but…"

"(Y/n)!" Link rounded on me. His gaze softened, and he spoke softly, "Sorry. I just don't think we should stay here."

"But Malon…"

"(Y/n)," Link whispered, leaning forward to speak softly in my ear. "I don't think that's Malon. She wouldn't come all this way…during the night, even…just to speak with us."

"Now that I think about it, you're right."

"It's probably some kind of monster that either can imitate what people look like, or can possess them."

(A/N – Before we go on any farther, I should tell you that you had a curse placed on you when you were young, causing your senses to sharpen extraordinarily, and you can transform into a wolf.)

Behind me, I heard the air whoosh, and I push Link down, falling next to him…to see a dagger whiz just over us.

I shifted instantly into my wolf form (you can look any way you think is cool) and took a threatening stance.

Link drew his sword, and we were both ready for the next attack.

'Malon' laughed. "You think you can fight me? I promise you…that's a mistake."

I bare my teeth at 'Malon' and snarl viciously.

"Oh, I'm so scared! A big, scary wolf is going to kill me!" 'she' mocked and glared at me, and her eyes changed color – to a crimson red – for a brief second, then agony hit me harshly, my body feeling the pain from everywhere.

"Stop it!" Link charged her, but couldn't land a hit to take her concentration off of me.

Gathering my head (somehow), I gritted my teeth and stumbled away, behind a tree…and the agony eased away.

Gasping, I looked around the tree to Link, who was pinned against a tree, being choked with his feet just above the ground, but he kept his cool and stared back at the monster calmly despite not being able to fight back.

I ran to him, and bit down on the arm around Link's throat. I could taste my opponent's blood, and it tasted of iron and salt. It instantly let go, and 'she' tried to shake me off, but at that point, I were pissed off enough that I wasn't about to just let go.

That earned a few kicks in the ribs before Link finally recovered, but when he swung his sword, it just passed through the neck of the enemy.

'Malon' exploded with dark magic, throwing me off and leaving me stunned several yards away. I accidentally transformed back human, and I hear the grass rustle right in front of my face.

When I look up, I see someone who looked like Link, except he had smoky white hair and crimson red eyes. Instead of a green tunic, it was black…and his pale skin topped off the dark look.

I heart raced, and my chest tightened with fear; the Link look-alike smirked.

"It's a shame, having to kill a pretty face like yours…but this is my favorite kind…killing after someone puts up a hell of a fight!" He brought his sword above his head, and I close my eyes, waiting for him to sharply bring down his blade and the pain of death to reach me.

But it never did.

Hearing a clang, I look up. Link was just in front of me; he had blocked the blow with his shield!

Not wasting a moment, Link leaped into action, clashing swords with his opponent.

Coughing, I try standing, only to collapse to another painful coughing fit. Looking up again, I could tell that Link was winning, though his movements were hinting that he was tiring quickly since he was using completely different moves than usual.

The Link look-alike pushed Link over unexpectedly, and got ready to make the final strike.

"Any last words?" he sneered. I had gotten to my feet and transformed by now. Right as he was going to drive his sword into Link, I leaped and clenched my teeth down into his flesh once again, his blood oozing once more into my mouth.

"Damn dog!" he exclaimed. I tugged hard, and threw him several yards behind me. Approaching Link, who was breathing hard, I gently gripped the back of his collar in my teeth, and was trying to drag the two apart, but both obviously were not done with each other.

The two boys had both recovered, and were struggling to stand up.

"I'll kill you!" Link's look-alike shouted at me.

"And I'll cut you to pieces before you even touch her!" Link spat back, scrambling to his feet.

"You think you can cut down your own shadow?" he laughed.

"Yes…and I will!" Link shouted.

All I could do was sit by Link's side and narrow my eyes at the supposed 'shadow'…and he returned the death glare.

"See? I should kill her first…" he paused for a moment, "Just to torture you!" the Shadow rushed at Link, and I jump back to give them space.

Link fumed with energy now. I watched as Link took on shallow cuts and scrapes to gash the Shadow's arm or leg deeply.

The Shadow was bleeding badly, and his movements were slowing down significantly. He wasn't even attacking now; he was just doing his best to block Link's attacks. I could smell his blood from where I sat…

The Shadow's sword was flung away from him…and it was coming right at me!

I jump back, but not before my right shoulder was gashed deeply. Yelping, I jump back farther, only to collapse there. Wincing, I lick the bleeding gash in hopes to stop the bleeding, but it wasn't working.

Transforming human again, I rip the hem of my (f/c) tunic and tie it tightly around my shoulder. Blood was already seeping through.

By this time, Link had taken a risky glance at me, but only to find you trying to stop your shoulder from bleeding more than it already was. He left the fight to come to your aid, after which the Shadow collapsed onto the ground.

"We need to get you to Kakariko," he said, examining the blood-soaked cloth on your shoulder.

I was already dizzy from blood loss, so Link had to help me over to Epona, after calling her, before laying me atop her bare back.

He mounted after me and arranged me so I lay against his back. My eyelids were getting heavy and I closed my eyes briefly…

"No! Stay awake, (y/n)!" Link shouted, snapping me from the sleepy haze for a moment. "We're almost there. Hold on."

I breath was coming in ragged gasps; my eyes wandered to my shoulder again, and I saw the blood that was getting on Link's green tunic.

"You're getting all bloody," I say, my mind fuzzy. I wasn't thinking straight.

"Yeah…I can tell." Link replied calmly as we entered Kakariko.

I tried moving to wipe off the warm, sticky liquid, but my body wouldn't respond to what I wanted it to do.

"I need help!" Link shouted as we were in the middle of the village. His voice echoed around the village houses.

"Link?! What's…" Malon was in town, carrying a basket, and came running when she recognized Link's voice. Her own cut off abruptly after analyzing the situation. "(Y/n)!"

"We were attacked," Link explained quickly. "She needs help. I need someone to take care of her – preferably a doctor."

Malon pulled out a thick cloth from the basket she had with her.

"Use this to put pressure on the wound until I get back."

Malon sprinted to find help as Link laid me down and took off the bandage I had applied earlier. He quickly placed the cloth Malon had given him in its place and pushed – hard – directly on the wound, squaring his shoulders while doing so.

"OW!" I shout, squeeze my eyes closed, and grit my teeth together as he held his hands firmly against your shoulder.

"Sorry," he apologized, "But this just needs to be done…and no one else is going to do it."

I grit my teeth together hard as he applied pressure. The only good thing that came out of all the pain is that it cleared my head.

"Link! I found someone!" Malon was running back with a lady that had a little bag with her.

"Let me see her." Link stopped and moved, allowing the lady to kneel by my side and examine the gash. As Link stood by me, I noticed his hands were soaked in blood…my blood.

Link refused to leave my side for even a moment when the woman was stitching me up; it was excruciating, but I was going to die otherwise. Malon had to bring a bucket of water for him to wash his hands off in.

After I had finally stopped bleeding, the lady was able to slow down and do more precise work. After she finished the last stitch, she asked Link to carry me into her house so she could care for me.

In answer, he scooped me up, carefully as to not disturb the new stitching, and followed the lady to her household. As he took careful, soft steps after the kind woman, I let my head rest on Link's chest, allowing myself to forget the pain in my right shoulder as I felt his warmth.

Then, unexpectedly, Link spoke softly.

"(Y/n), are you cold?" Shivering, I nod…it was getting cold out – it was the middle of autumn, after all.

He shifted me in his arms so that I was leaning up against him a little more. I had almost fallen asleep when we arrived at the young lady's house.

"Is she…"

"Shhh!" Link cut her off. "Where do you need her?"

"Over there." She paused for a moment. "Are you two close?"

"Well, we've known each other for years, so…I would think so."

"Okay. Are you going to stay?"

"Obviously. I didn't leave her before. Why would I now?"

"Well…never mind. Just go get her to rest."

Link laid me down, covered me with a few blankets, and pulled a chair over to where the bed was and sat down. He gripped my hand tightly as I fell asleep to his rhythmic breathing.