Due to the great response I got for "Making Up For Lost Time" and the many requests for a sequel, I'm writing this story. This story takes place during MM but it focuses on Sheik. What does Sheik do for the three days Link is gone? I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to comment if you get the urge.

Lost, My Friend

Chapter One:
Lost, My Friend

"Hurry Sheik! You're falling behind!"

"Oh come on! My horse is still learning! Not everyone has a Super Steed!"

Two friends, Link and Sheik, raced through the Lost Woods on the backs of their noble friends. Link rode Epona, a gift from the owners of Lon Lon Ranch, Talon and his daughter Malon.; and Sheik was on Scout, a gift from his Aunt Impa. Scout had not yet been tamed and unfortunately Sheik didn't have enough skills with horse back riding to get him to behave.

The friends had spent the past week in search of an old friend who had gone missing: Navi the Fairy. Navi had once been Link's companion, but when Link moved out of the forest, they had parted ways. Navi was, instead, assigned to a young Kokiri boy by the Great Deku Tree. It was on a visit to the forest that the two boys had learned of her mysterious disappearance.

Sheik and Link were going to the forest to visit an old friend. Saria had begged them to visit more often but they were both so busy. Link was working part-time at the potion shop in Hyrule Castle Town and Sheik was helping Talon with the horses at Lon Lon Ranch. Finally given a day off work, the Hylian and the Sheikah decided to make the journey into the forest to visit their friend. They had only just arrived in the forest when they heard a commotion in Kokiri Village. Running to see what it was, they found the child-like Kokiri clumped together and talking quickly and quietly.

"What's wrong?" Link asked.

When he received no answer, he and Sheik pushed themselves through to find the remains of a Kokiri hat and tunic. They had been badly ripped and soiled with what appeared to be mud and something that looked remarkably similar to blood.

"What happened here?" Link asked, looking at the frightened Kokiri.

"We don't know. We heard a scream but when we came running…" Airell, a small blond, said.

"All we found was this." Finnished her sister, Aislin, pointing to the clothes.

"Well, who's missing?" Sheik asking, looking around.

Link counted the Kokiri, knowing their numbers by heart, and shrugged when he found none missing. "I don't get it."

"Wait! It's Patch! Patch isn't here!" Shouted a Kokiri.

Link looked confused. "Patch?"

"Oh!" Sheik slapped his forehead. "Of course. Patch was the new Kokiri. Remember? The one Navi was with."

Link's eyes widened in understanding. "Of course!" He looked around the group. "Navi? Are you here?" He called.

The village was silent and Link suddenly felt panic rise in his heart. He turned to Sheik, worry showing on his face.

"Let's talk to the Great Deku Tree." Sheik said and wrapped a comforting arm around his friends shoulders.

They walked to the Great Deku Tree followed by the huddled group of frightened Kokiri. When they entered the small meadow, the found the Deku Tree's eyes closed, deep in thought. Link hesitated before walking forward.

"Great Deku Tree?" He called tentatively.

The large tree opened its eyes and gazed down at the small party. "Link…it is good thou hath come." He sounded troubled. "I trust, by now, you know of the disappearance of Patch and Navi."

Link nodded but remained silent, the others watching nervously from behind.

The Great Deku Tree sighed sadly. "Unfortunate, yes. Link, this world owes you a debt of gratitude many times over, but I fear I must call on your aid again." His voice was deep and solemn.

Link nodded again and moved closer. "Of course, Great Deku Tree. Please, tell me what I can do."

"Go to the Forest Temple. Saria is already there, praying. Hopefully, before you get there, she will have an idea where Patch and Navi have vanished too. Go to her quickly, Link."

And go to her they had. The friends had set off quickly deep into the heart of the Lost Woods. Saria had indeed been praying, but unfortunately she had not found anything. Link and Sheik searched the entire forest inside and out for the lost pair but there was no trace. They had even begun to search the rest of Hyrule when they had received an anonymous tip. A stranger and stopped by Lon Lon Ranch and left a note with Malon. Malon, frightened by the figure's mystery, rode quickly to Sheik and Link in Karakiko Village. The note read as follows:

If you want to find the boy and the fairy,

go to the Sacred Forest Meadow and ask the fairies.

They may be able to help you.

The note wasn't sighed and Malon didn't know the face of the one who brought it, but Link and Sheik set out anyway. Link had alerted Saria before hand with his Ocarina and asked her to meet them there and that is where they were now headed.

Epona was much more accustomed to the ins and outs of the Lost Woods, but Scout was quite frightened. It wasn't long before Sheik lost sight of his friend in the distance. He thought about calling out but sighed and shook his head.

We're both going to the same place. He thought.

With Scout so afraid of the next tunnel and what might lie on the other end, Sheik was forced to leave his "noble stead" behind and walk the rest of the journey.

"So much for faithful companions…" Sheik grumbled as he stalked through the forest.

After three years of making this journey it didn't take long to find his way. After fighting off the annoying Deku Scrubs who were not in the mood to play, Sheik began stalking up the stairs to the entrance to the Forest Temple, all the while practicing what he would say to Link about leaving him in the dust. He reached the top and glared at the first green figure he saw.

"Thanks a lot for leaving me like that! Poor Scout won't be able to eat for a week!" He complained.

Saria turned her head and looked up. "What?"

Sheik immediately felt embarrassed. His cheeks flushed red and his face fell. "Oh, Saria. I'm sorry. I thought you were Link."

She raised her eyebrow and smiled. "It's okay. So, where is he?"

It was Sheik's turn to raise a brow. "You mean he's not here yet?"

Saria shook her head.

"Hmm, that's weird…" Sheik said and sat down on the small tree trunk, "He was ahead of me coming here."

Saria shrugged. "That's the thing with the Lost Woods. It can turn anyone around."

Sheik nodded, suddenly remembering the time he got lost just trying to get out of the first room. "I guess you're right." He stood up. "So, have you found anything?"

She shook her head and looked around. "There's no one here but us."

Sheik furrowed his brow. "Well, the note said to talk to the fairies…is there a fairy fountain around here?"

Saria nodded. "Come on, I'll show you."

Sheik began to follow and then paused. "What about Link?"

"He knows where it is. He'll catch up with us." She said over her shoulder.

Sheik shrugged and followed the Kokiri girl out of the clearing and back into the maze…or so he thought. Instead, she took him up and ladder and over to a hole. He raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Through there?" He asked.

She smirked. "You're not afraid are you?" She teased and then jumped down the hole.

Sheik glared after her and rolled his eyes. "Girls…" He grumbled and followed her down.