Nintendo owns everything connected to The Wind Waker. The characters, scenario, etc. Come on, people! You know how this is meant to go! One of these days, I would appreciate it if someone could tell me why we have to put disclaimers on every chapter.

Note: Link is 17, Tetra is 17, Alfonz is 17, Rose is 17.

The pirates problem

Tetra stared out to sea. There was nothing to do. No ships to steal from, no monsters to hunt, nothing. She hated winter. It was so boring. "Gonzo, any suggestions?"

"Well, miss, we could put in for the season. No point in pirating. I think we must be the only ship out." Gonzo shivered. It was freezing out. But, if the miss wanted them out here, out here is where they would stay. He blinked. He hoped he was imagining the icicle forming on his nose.

"Hmm. Where is the nearest port?"

"SnowPort. It's 30 miles south."

"Isn't Escaflowne only 15 miles north?"

"Yes, but it would take longer. Ice and all that. To the south the sea is relatively clear." He sighed. "Sadly, the wind is to the east. And that's dangerous territory, that is."

"Well, wind is not a problem. Where is the crew?"

"Niko is having some kind of argument with Senza about the cannon. Apparently, the firing mechanism is frozen solid. Zuko is in the crow's nest, as always. Though this time, he has a fire with him. Nudge is warming himself in front of the stove. Mako is reading in the hold, very close to the torches."

"And Link?" She looked around. He had a habit of disappearing. No. His dragon boat was still here.

"I think he curled up in your bed and went to sleep."

"You think?"

"Well, there is a big lump under your blankets. Whoever it is also dragged out the spare duvet. And his sword is at the foot of the bed. I meant, I think he's asleep. He could have died of suffocation. Or cold. I don't know." Tetra stared at Gonzo, looking for the joke.

"Why are you people so cold? It's not cold! It's brisk. That's all!"

"Yes, miss. But, some of us big strong sailor men aren't as tough as you."

"I see. I'll go wake up Link. He'll provide us with a wind. You go warm up"

When she reached her room, the first thing she noticed was the sound of gentle breathing that seemed to be coming from a mound of blankets. The next thing she noticed was that her closet had been opened and someone had removed all the sweaters and coats. She sighed. "Link." The mound didn't move. She moved closer. "Link!" No reaction. She moved to the side of the bed and ripped off the outer layer of blankets. "Link!" She removed the second layer. "Link, this is not funny." Finally she pulled the mass off the bed. Link was under that. He was wearing what looked like several layers of sweaters and coats. "Link! Wake up! Now!" His eyes remained closed. She sighed "If Link is sound asleep, I guess I can take off all my clothes." She opened one button. Link's eyes snapped open. "That got your attention, Link."

"What? Can't I get any sleep? I could have sworn I would get some peace and quiet in here." Link pulled himself up. Then he pulled off the pile of sweaters.

"Link, why were you sleeping in my room?"

"Two reasons. Because your crew won't come in here, thus almost assuring me of some quiet. And because that is a nice, soft, warm, bed." He stood up and stretched.

"Is it really that cold?"

"Do you want me to be honest, or would you prefer a lie?"

"A lie."

"Then no! It's so warm, I could go around in my boxers and still be sweating!"

"As interesting a picture as that is, I would now like to hear the truth."

"Right. The truth is, the only reason I haven't taken King and struck out for a warmer clime is the ice and snow. And hail. And sleet."

"Any other reasons?"

"Hmm. Oh yes," He smiled wickedly. "Out there, I don't have a nice warm bed to steal. Or a nice warm Tetra to hug." She slapped him.

"Great. If your sanity is going, then the crews must be on its last legs." She thought for a few seconds. "Link, I want a southerly wind. We're heading back to SnowPort for the winter."

"Hmph. Why should I help?" He rubbed his cheek where she had slapped him. "Why do I even stick around? Every time something goes wrong, I get slapped. I've gotten sick of it. You need me more than I need you, and I expect a little respect." Tetra blinked. He needs me more than I need him? How dare he!

"If you feel that way, why don't you leave?" Tetra snarled. "You do hardly anything anyway. I coped just fine without you around. And I'll cope with out you. I wish you would leave." Link's face went through several emotions. From rage to sorrow to determination.

"You know what? I will. When we get to SnowPort, I will take King, and leave. Maybe I'll join another crew. Maybe not. But consider our partnership over." He picked up his sword and left, running into Nudge.

"Whoah, Link? What's wrong? I was coming to check on you, buddy."

"Thanks for the thought, but I'm fine. In fact, I feel so good, I'm going to go freelance when we get back to SnowPort." He moved around the big pirate. Nudge stared at Tetra.

"Did you two have a quarrel? Is he serious?"

"Hmph. Whether he is or is not, I don't care. He's useless."

"Useless? He does more work than I do! Am I useless? Who do you think catches the fish you eat? Or got us that new sail? Or put together the stove? I think he and Zuko are the only people doing any real work right now. And where did you get that diamond necklace from?" Her hand went to the diamond. "Didn't he steal that for you?"

"No. He…"

"Yes?"

"He bought it for me. Cost him 7000 rupees."

"And you say he's useless? Sounds like you owe him an apology."

"Yes. I guess I do. But I won't!"

"Why not?"

"He was rude to me! He said that the main reason he didn't leave was that out there he didn't have a 'Nice Soft Tetra' to hug!" Nudge coughed. "Don't laugh! If you laugh, you can join him! And He said I need him more than he needs me."

"Fair enough… but don't you say similar things about him?"

"Yes… but I'm the captain! And I don't say them to his face! Doesn't matter, though. He wants nothing to do with me. And I want nothing to do with him."

"Hmm."

* * *

And indeed, for the rest of the voyage back to SnowPort, Link and Tetra avoided each other.

* * *

When they reached SnowPort, Link had King lowered over. Then he hopped into the dragon boat. "Hey! Tetra! Catch!" He threw his pendant to her. "Bye! Maybe we'll meet again someday!" His voice lowered so she couldn't hear. "Only not too soon."

"Goodbye, Link. May the winds of fate be behind you." She then muttered to Gonzo, "And may they blow him far away from me." Gonzo didn't answer. He couldn't believe that Tetra was letting go of such an important part of her. Link prepared to leave, but then an overseer ran up.

"I'm sorry, sir. But you can't leave."

"Why not?"

"The town weather wizard just told us that a huge storm is coming. Any way, you could only go 15 miles in any direction. A ring of ice has formed around the island, and it won't melt until spring."

"Gods, no!"

"Don't worry, though. We have a big festival every winter."

Link glared at the overseer. "Are you telling me, you horrid little man, that I have to spend winter here?"

"Yes sir."

"Great. In that case, I will go get a room at the inn, and spend the rest of winter 'chasing the Chu-Chu.' Why must the gods torment me!?" Link pulled himself back on to the dock. He turned and walked up the street. The overseer turned towards Tetra.

"Miss, you're ship is stuck too."

"I know, I know. How many inns does this place have?"

"Just the one…"

"Gonzo, what I am about to do may shock you. But I need to let off some steam." She turned and let out a profanity so loud and nasty that his eyebrows singed.

* * *

Link entered the Wallowing Whale and moved to the counter. The barman appraised the young man. "Can I help you, sir?"

Link placed his sword on the countertop. He smiled. "I would like a room. And the strongest drink you have."

"Right. That will be 50 rupees."

Link placed a purple on the table. "That should cover it." He looked around. There were only 4 other people in the bar. "Why is this place dead? You'd think the only inn in town would be full in winter."

"Nah. Most people stay on their ships. But don't worry, there's nothing wrong with the Wallowing Whale. Now, here you go. One Dark Chu-Chu, prepared to the Wallowing Whales special recipe."

A young man walked up. "Don't listen to Bartholomew. His special recipe for Dark Chu-Chu is taking a Blue Chu-Chu and dropping purple dye in." Link glared at the Barman.

"He's… lying! My drinks are pure! Please believe me, good master!" Link took a cautious sip of the drink. It did indeed have the customary acrid taste of Dark Chu-Chu. But there was more…

"Ferment. You actually added ferment to a Dark Chu-Chu? Did I ask for wine?"

"You did ask for the strongest drink I had, good master."

The other man was still standing there. His eyes went to the sword and twinkled. He turned to Link. "May the Winds of Battle carry you to peace."

Link turned and met the young man's eyes. "I treasure the hope. But until then, may the Goddess of Courage shine on us."

The man stuck his hand out. "Very good! The name's Alfonz."

Link took the hand and shook it. "Mine's Link." He turned towards the luckless Bartholomew. "Your finest wine for my friend here."

Alfonz sat down. "So, what brings another warrior to these dull shores?"

"The winds of fate turned against me. What about you?"

"Ha. Visiting family for a week. Then when time came to leave, they imposed a curfew."

"Ah well. At least we won't get bored. If the festivals a dud, we could get drunk and try to stab each other." Alfonz grinned at that statement, and bought his sword over, placing it next to Links. Link rose to the challenge, placing his boomerang on top of his sword. Alfonz placed his own boomerang on top of his sword. The contest was on.

"Very good. But… can you match this?" Link placed his grappling hook on his pile. Alfonz placed a set of magnetic gloves on to his. "Grr. Your turn."

"Right. Can you beat… this?" He placed a crossbow on his pile. Link smirked and placed his longbow and magic arrows onto his pile. "You win that round."

Soon they both had massive piles of equipment in front of them. When the pirates entered, they were cheerfully arguing about which had greater strength, Link's Skull Hammer, or Alfonz's Flail. Tetra walked past them and said to Bartholomew, "I would like a room for myself, and a large room for my crew." Link and Alfonz both pulled small booklets out of their pockets.

"Says here…" Alfonz started.

"That in the case of a tie" Link continued.

"The warriors must go through the"

"Trial by woman." Alfonz pulled a pictograph out of his pocket. He showed it to Link. Link looked at it. "She is nice. But, I"

"Don't think about it Link. It's over between us." Tetra walked past him and up the stairs. Alfonz turned to Link.

"I guess I…"

"Yes, yes. You win. On a technicality. My hammer is much stronger than your flail."

"Hah! Can your hammer flay the skin from your enemies?"

"Of course not! Can your flail flatten hordes of Miniblins?"

"Fine. But I still win."

"Not quite…" Link pulled his Deluxe Picto Box out and snapped a picture of Alfonz. It came out in full color, and was waved in front of him. "I think we tie."

"Only because I haven't upgraded yet!"

"Yeah, yeah."

"So… who was that girl?"

Link sighed. "No one important."

"Right. Well, I'm running the sword contest tomorrow at the festival. So I have to get ready." Alfonz sighed.

"Need any help?"

"Could you? I would sell my soul for some help."

"Hah. If the next round is on you, I'd help you wipe out an entire army."

* * *

After Link retired (To a room as far away from Tetra as was possible), the pirates gathered in the common room. Nudge started. "My fellow pirates, we have a wonderful chance here. A chance to bring Tetra and Link back together."

Senza asked, "Why would we want to? If they figure out what we're trying to do, we would succeed in uniting them. Albeit, to try to kill us."

"They need each other. Tetra needs Link around to tease. Link needs Tetra around to keep him on the ground, and to ensure he feels useful. And they both need each other in order to do the best part of fighting. Kissing and making up." Nudge smiled. He knew how to get the other pirates to agree. "Without Link around, Tetra will fall into a depression. Tetra needs Link in order to, well, in order to be Tetra. Besides, without Link, Tetra will have more free time to come up with absurd orders for us."

"When you put it like that…" Niko shuddered.

"Hmm. Good point. But how will we manage this task?" Mako asked. The pirates think. Gonzo leaps up.

"I've got it! What we do is, we write a letter to Tetra, and a letter to Link! And in Tetra's letter, we claim to be Link, and we apologize for him. And in Link's letter we" The other pirates slap their hands to their foreheads. Mako finishes for Gonzo.

"Claim to be Tetra and apologize for her. Great plan."

"Thanks, Mako."

"Except for one problem."

"What?"

"IT NEVER WORKS! Gonzo, that's always the first plan anyone tries. And it never works. At best, we get them to meet, they think the other is having a joke at their expense, and try to rip each others heads off. At worst, we get them to meet, they figure it out, and try to rip our heads off." The other pirates all shake their heads.

"Well, Mako? Do you have a better idea?"

"Yes, Gonzo. I do. You all heard Link talking to that other warrior, and agreeing to help some sword thing?" The pirates nod. "Good. Here's the plan…" They all huddle.

Hmm. Pirates trying to be tricky. Almost sad. Next chapter, Mako's plan! I will reveal no details except this. It involves a badger… No! I'm serious! It does!