Link woke to sunlight searing into his eyes. He took in a deep breath and shrugged his shoulder in bleak hope to douse the sun from his face. He let out his breath and rolled onto his back and stretched out. Slowly he opened his eyes. He sniffed, staring in a clam tired revere at the ceiling. He sat up and pushed the blanket away. He crossed his legs and put his hand behind his head stretching his neck. He closed his eyes and tilted his head to one side, then the other. With his hand that still lay behind his head, he ruffled his hair, running his hand backwards through his hair causing it to stand on end for a second or two before it settled back on his head. He put his hands behind him and unfolded his legs, leaning back on his hands. He looked out the window waiting for his eyes to settle. Between the glaring shafts of sunlight beaming through the window, he watched as a slight breeze ruffled the treetops outside. He sighed and got up. He looked to his left. Seeing his clothes hanging on the closet door he made a face. I'm staying in my pajamas today. I don't freaking care. It's not like anything is going to happen today. Nothing ever happens. He thought and kept walking.
He walked slowly to the kitchen and pulled out a kettle and coffee beans. Pouring water into the kettle and walking to the fire place, he made a face. Fire's out. He scowled and grabbed the matches on top of the mantle. He struck one and chucked it into the fire place. He grabbed the one piece of wood that lay in the basket on the tile. He dropped it in the fire. Damn it now I need more wood. The fire started engulfing the wood slowly. It's a start. He thought and put in the iron hanger with the kettle on it. He sighed and went into the kitchen and pulled out the coffee grinder. Then he sighed and grabbed a slice of bread and shoved one corner in his mouth so the bread mostly hung out of his mouth.
He meandered outside. He stood in the door way munching on the bread, gazing into the forest. He finished off the bread and wandered around the corner to the wood pile. He grabbed an armful and started to walk back to the door when he stopped.
Quiet. He looked around suspiciously.
"Hmm..." He muttered. He narrowed his eyes. Slowly he started for the door. He walked sideways his eyes on the forest. He got to the door and walked in backwards. Keeping his eyes on the trees, he bent down and put the wood on the floor to his left. He slowly stood and reached to his right. His sword, shield, and other equipment lay on shelves along the wall there. He felt around slowly until he felt his fingers rest on the hilt of his sword. He wrapped his fingers around it slowly and pulled it toward him. Eyes still on the forest, he pulled his sword out of the sheath. He held the sheath in his shield hand his sword in the other. He started walking toward the forest looking around with his peripheral vision. He reached the edge of the forest and stopped. A wind blew softly through blowing his hair into his eyes. It stopped leaving his hair partly in his eyes.
A branch snapped. He looked sharply to the left. His hand tightened around the hilt. He walked slowly toward the noise. He started into the forest. Shafts of light moved around causing dust particles to show up in random patterns. He walked a little way in when he heard more snaps and a groan coming from a bush a few feet away. He stepped toward it and reached out his sheath and parted the bush...
"Holy Din!" He shouted. He jumped forward and as he landed put the sword back in the sheath and laid it on the ground. A girl lay there. She was skinny and on the middle-short spectrum. She was pale and her face was contorted with pain. Her long blue hair was sprawled around her woven with leaves and branches. She had long black skinny triangles painted down from her cheekbones to her jaw and one on her fore head. She wore a blue thick necklace with big animal fangs on it. It was connected to a long white animal pelt. She wore golden pants that were baggy and a long white tank top that was mostly formfitting. It had strange blue patterns on the bottom and on one sleeve-strap. She wore a silver thumb ring on her right thumb that looked like a spring. She had on two bracelets, a black think bangle and a thin grey bracelet that had once been painted green and black but the colors had faded. Her eyes fluttered. They partway opened revealing dark blue eyes. They were glassy and feverish. They closed.
"Whoa! Hey wake up! Are you ok?" Her head bobbed to the side. Link blinked twice and then lifted her up in his arms. Then he picked up his sword and laid it diagonally across her stomach. Then he began to walk out of the forest.
He looked down at her. The noticed the pelt was like a one sided cloak. It had a hood. On the hook was a red mask with two wolf ears on top of the hood. Not real wolf ears but realistic replicas. Ok well weird get up. I wonder where she came from. He looked back up to see where he was going. He was almost to the edge of the forest. Is she sick? I can't tell. He looked down once more to see if he could figure out what was wrong with her. A shaft of glittering golden light fell on her face the moment he looked down. He halted. It fell like a pool of liquid amber on her soft features. She's really pretty... The sunlight moved away and he jolted back to reality. He shook his head and kept walking.
He reached the house and walked inside. He walked in and realized something. Damn. I only have a bed and a couch. He looked at the sick figure in his arms. He looked up and sighed. Why me? Sometimes I hate being a gentleman. Oh well. She's sick. He brought her into his room, and laid her down in his bed. Then he heard a bubbling noise.
"Ack!" He dashed out leaving her laying there with his sword. He dashed into the living room and yanked the hanger out of the fire and grabbed the tea kettle and ran to the counter. He put it down and sighed, his arms crossed. Well I don't need coffee now. He thought sarcastically. He picked it up and put it in the refrigerator along with the coffee beans. Then he put away the grinder. He looked around and saw the door open. What if that girl was running from someone? He walked over to the door, shut and locked it. Then he walked back to the bed room. He picked up his sword and brought it back to the shelves by the door. Then he got a rag and stuck it under the sink. He put the wet rag on a small dish and walked back to the bedroom.
He went over to the side of the bed and placed the dish on the bedside table. He sat on the bed and reached over and picked her up placing the unconscious figure in his lap. He reached to the site of the necklace and unhooked the pelt so it wasn't in the way. He dropped in gently on the floor and picked up the rag. He gently mopped her forehead. She made a noise and screwed up her eyes. She rolled a little so she was pressed against his bare chest.
Careful not to wake her, he reached over and put the rag on the dish. He slowly inched his way to the head of the bed careful not to disturb her. He knew she was unconscious but he didn't want to make her condition any worse. He got to the wood head of the bed and leaned against a pillow. I need to make sure she'll be ok. I hope something's not after her. At this, he put a cloaking spell on the house so any spies or people he didn't know or want in his house couldn't find it or enter. There. Now she's safe so I can make sure she'll be ok. He sighed and let his eyes close. Guess I'm more tired than I thought... He thought to himself as he drifted into sleep.
---
She curled her shoulders in and screwed up her eyes. She struggled to open her eyes. What happened? She felt feverish and blurry. All I remember is running... but... from what? She struggled to open her eyes then they slowly started to open. Warmth. She had been sick before. She remembered being freezing cold and blurry and her mother saying, "Oh honey your forehead is burning up!" That's how most of her felt now but... her upper body felt warm. She saw a blurry tan color. She froze.
There was an arm around her shoulder. She looked up into the face of a blonde boy. She tried meekly to get away. I'm too... weak... her mind was blurring up and the world was darkening. She looked into his face. He didn't have a bad aura... as a matter a fact... it was anything but bad... the world started going black and she felt numbly as her head rested against his chest. She had a last thought before the world went black... He's really...handsome...for...a human...
---
Areo knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again. Still nothing.
"Hey Link open up! Comon man! Whatta ya doin in there that's so distracting you can't hear me banging on your door!" He tried to open the door. "And why in the hell is the door locked?" He shouted.
He took a step back and shut his eyes. He sent his mind out and probed out for anything suspicious. There was life in the bedroom. Was that... two life sources? Oh Link are you... Zelda's going to KILL you! He thought. He kept probing. There was a spell around the house. A concealing spell. Well Link you didn't do so well considering I found your house idiot. He probed farther. Wait a minute... He checked the spell again. A spell to conceal from people he didn't know or want in his house? What was he hiding?
Areo opened his eyes and let his wings come out of his spirit. He soared up to the roof and hovered above the chimney. He felt down the stones with his mind. A fire. No problem. With a burst of spirit he picked up the fire and pulled it up the chimney. He hovered it before his face and opened his mouth. With a huge intake of breath he sucked in the fire and put it in his mouth. The wings went back into him and he straightened and slipped right down the chimney. In a burst of ash he popped out into the living room.
"Oof!" He gasped and the fire shot out of his mouth and into the kitchen. "Ack!" He leapt forward and put the fire back in the chimney and with a snap of the fingers the ash went back in too. He brushed off his sleeves.
"Honestly Link." He muttered. Areo waltzed to the door to the bed room. Shut.
"Link man what are you doin in there?" He muttered and opened the door. What he saw made him freeze.
Link was propped up against the wooden head of the bed. His head was on his shoulder his mouth partway open. He had no shirt no shoes no hat just his white pajamas with the little four leaf clovers on it with the word all over it, "my lucky pajamas".
Heh. Lucky alright. Areo thought because it looked like he did get lucky. In his arms was a beautiful girl. She had her head against his chest. Long blue hair. He made a face. Black tribal markings. What tribe is that from? He shrugged. Didn't look like any markings he'd ever seen.
"Link jeez! Don't let the girls find out about this!" Link stirred and opened one eye, peering at Areo tiredly. "Gettin lucky with a gorgeous tribal forest chick? Man those ones are vicious how'd you get her in your bed!" Links eyes shot open.
"Shut up! Areo be quiet don't wake her up!" Areo realized something was up.
"Link what's going on?" Link shushed him and picked the girl up, then laid her down. He ushered Areo out. Then he shut the door and walked to the kitchen table.
"What is going on! I find your house locked with a spell and you're asleep with a chick?" Areo sat and looked at Link with a funny expression.
"I got up this morning and went to get some fire wood and I heard a funny noise. So I went to check and found her. She's sick. I think someone's after her." Areo widened his eyes and dipped his head down looking up at Link.
"Man how do you always get in such a mess?" Link shook his head.
"I dunno. We can't let the word get out though. Whoever might be after her might catch wind of it." Areo nodded.
"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Link shook his head. "Mind if I take a look?" Link gave him a look. "Don't be a pervert! I wanna see if I can help." Link shrugged.
Areo went inside and put a hand on her head. He shut his eyes and sent his spirit in. He sat for a second. Link watched silently. Areo's eyes shot open. He quickly turned to Link.
"Link, do you know the recipe for that liquid food?" Link nodded.
"Make it. Fast." Link looked at him inquiringly.
"What? Why?" Areo put his hand on her head.
"She's dieing. Hurry or she'll die. Lucky you I came in here or she'd be dead right now. She's only alive because I'm supporting her with my spirit now hurry!" Link dashed to the kitchen and pulled out a bunch of ingredients and whipped them together as fast as he could. He poured it in a bowl and got a small clean rag. He sprinted into the bedroom. Areo was muttering something quietly; his eyes closed his face the picture of concentration. Link knew what to do.
He went up to the girl and sat on the other side of her. Gently, he picked her up and laid her in his lap, supporting her back with his arm and with his other he dipped the rag in the mixture. Areo was still murmuring and had his hand on her head. Link took the rag and opened her mouth a little and put the corner above her mouth and squeezed the rag dripping the liquid in her mouth. She felt the liquid on her lips and licked it off. Link dripped more in. She started drinking it then spit it out at Areo. He side stepped.
"Link." Link was looking at her.
"What?"
"She's part wolf." Link looked up.
"What?" He made a face.
"You have to feed her like a wolf. Go get some jerky." Links eyes widened.
"You don't mean--"
"I mean it. She's dieing of hunger. That's what she'll take." Link made a face.
"What? You do it!" He snapped.
"Link you have to I can't! I have to keep supporting her and I can't do that and feed her don't be an idiot! Just DO IT!" He yelled. Link knew he had to. He couldn't let her die.
He put her down and ran back to the kitchen and rummaged through the pantry. Ah jerky. He snatched it and ran back in. Link picked her up and looked at Areo. Sweat was forming on his brow. That meant he was barely keeping her breathing. Link looked at the girl then to Areo then to the girl again. He took a breath and then ripped a piece of jerky of with his teeth and started to chew. Then he bent over and put his mouth to hers. She felt it and opened her mouth reluctantly in her dazy almost dead sleep. He let the jerky slip from his mouth to hers. She took it. He chewed more up and bent over her again.
Areo felt her life force returning. He opened his eyes. She still couldn't live with out his support yet, but Areo didn't have to concentrate as hard. He looked at Link. Link ripped off a piece not noticing Areo was watching. He chewed and bent over giving it to her. She swallowed. Areo closed his eyes again. Zelda's gonna kill him.
---
A light. Three figures stood. She stepped toward them. One smiled. Is this death? She wondered. It wasn't as bad as she thought. She started walking toward them. Then she remembered the boy. She turned, her hair swirling around her. She watched him jump into the room a wild look in his eyes with another boy. The boy went to her. She felt her body lifting. She turned away. She took another step to the figures. Two disappeared and the blue one was next to her.
(It is not yet your time.)
The figure turned her back to the boy and pushed her gently forward.
(It is not your time yet. You still have many things you must do.)
And she was back in her body. She felt a liquid touch her mouth. She licked her lips. It went into her body. More liquid came. It's human treatment! She spit it out. She heard voices. Anger. Frustration. Disbelief. She was laid back down. A minute later she was up again. She tried to open her eyes. It wouldn't work. A hand was on her forehead. That was the other boy. He was keeping her alive with his spirit, she could feel it. Then she heard a weird tearing noise. Then a mouth was on hers. She felt cautiously ahead with her tongue. Food. Dried meat slipped into her mouth. It was chewed up. He's feeding me? The way of the wolf? He wasn't wolf she knew that but... why? The spirit boy must have realized she was wolf. And the earth boy was saving her? But why?
She forced her eyes open and saw though just a sliver of vision the boy lean in and put his mouth on hers. She shut her eyes again and let herself be fed. She didn't realize how hungry she had been.
---
"She'll be ok?" Link asked.
"She'll be fine. You're going to have to feed her that way for a couple of days until she can feed herself. Just take care of her until she's strong enough to go off on her own again. I'm sorry I can't help. I was just stopping to say hello but I have to go." Areo was outside. Link was leaning in the doorway speaking to him.
"It's fine. I'll take care of her." Link said. Areo nodded and shot up into the sky. Link stood in the doorway looking at the forest for a second then went back inside.
---
"Link. Why was the door locked? I have a key and all but why was it locked?" Kara said into the house. No answer. She walked in and shut the door. She locked it just in case. She walked to the bedroom and opened the door.
"OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!" She shouted. He looked up.
"Oh. Hey sis." He said casually. She watched as he turned away and his head jerked. Then he turned back and leaned over and kissed the girl in his lap again.
"Hello!" Kara yelled. "If Zelda find's out she'll have the girl killed! What do you think you're doing! The only reason we could stay in the palace for as long as we did was if you would date her. I think marriage is something Zelda wand's in the agreement too if you didn't notice! What do you think you're doing making out with some chick?" Kara screamed.
"Kara listen to me--" Link started.
"Listen? LISTEN? Oh REALLY! What's going to happen when Zelda finds out huh! She'll kill her! And you! Your life is in her hands! She saved you and housed you in her palace. And she did the same for me! What did you give her? You saved her once! This is how you have to pay her back! You have to date her maybe even marry her! I know you don't like her but I know you don't totally hate her! You can't just go make out with--" Link was fed up.
"KARA SHUT UP!" He bellowed. The girl stirred. "Now look what you've done! Shut up and I'll explain in just a second." He hushed her and put a hand on her forehead. He looked worried. Kara watched as he grabbed some jerky and popped it in his mouth.
"Oh eating at a time like--" He shot her a look. She shut up. She watched him bend over and realized what he was up to.
"Your--?" He nodded. He checked her forehead again then laid her down and stood up. Kara followed him out.
"I found her in the woods. Areo and I just barely managed to save her." He explained. He was at the counter pouring coffee. Kara sat at the table.
"Well can't you just feed her that healing liquid stuff?" Link sat down and passed her a mug.
"She spit it out. She's of the wolf clan." Kara sipped her coffee.
"I've never heard of the wolf clan taking in humans." She pondered. "That would explain the markings. I knew they weren't of a normal human tribe. Do you know who she is?" Link shook his head.
"She's been passed out for four days now." Kara looked at him amazed.
"That's what you've been doing the past four days?" He nodded. "I was worried and so was Zelda. She sent me to get you." Link looked at the ground.
"You've been lying huh?" Link looked up as Kara stated this.
"Lying about what?" He asked.
"Loving Zelda." He was silent.
"She's... not right. Not for me." He looked to the window. "I just can't find the right girl." He sighed.
"Link, I'm sure she's out there waiting for you." Link shrugged.
"By the time I find her it'll be too late. Zelda's been looking for me."
"How did you--"
"I know these things. She's predictable. She wants to get married. Right away too. She knows I'm trying to find someone else and she'll stop at nothing to prevent that." Kara made a face.
"The king isn't going to let Zelda marry you if you find someone else. He knows Zelda's not for you, but he also knows that you need to pay Zelda back. If you find a girl before she can marry you you'll be fine."
"Can you delay it?" Kara shrugged.
"I'll put a spell on her so she thinks that she needs to get to know you a little better. That will stop her for a while." He looked in the swirling coffee.
"Get on it then."
Crash. Kara jumped to her feet.
"What was that?" Link jumped and grabbed his sword.
"It might be people after the girl. Comon." He ran to the door and opened it. The girl was standing splay-legged looking around wildly. She caught sight of the pelt and quick as a flash she grabbed it and yanked it on. She reached up to put on the hood and saw Link.
"HAAAA!" She leapt forward and suddenly had a dagger out ready to stab him. He lifted up his sword and blocked the attack. He left the sword in the sheath so he wouldn't look threatening. She saw who he was and jumped back. She looked at him bewildered.
"Kara. Go in the other room." Kara looked at him. "Now." She made a face and left. The girl stared at him in her attack pose. She then went to a normal standing pose and put away her dagger. Then she bowed.
"Many thanks Earth boy." She said. Then she reached up and put on the red clay mask so the ears stood up and she looked like a wolf. The mask was red with two big black eyes and a tan clay roll went from one side to the other and dipped in the middle. Then she flashed by causing Links hair to ruffle in the breeze she caused. He heard Kara make a surprised noise and the door open.
Link stood a bit baffled. He slowly picked up his sword and walked over to the shelves.
"Link are you ok?" Kara ran to him. Link nodded. "Who is she?"
"I still don't know but... something about her... seemed..." He shrugged.
"Seemed what?" He sighed.
"I really don't know."
---
"Liiiink!" A voice screeched. Glomp. Zelda was hanging over him her arms around his neck her head on one of his shoulders.
"Oh. Hi Zelda." He said simply. The wolf girl was still on his mind and it had been two weeks. Kara had cast the spell so it gave him time but he wasn't having any luck. Now Zelda just got back yesterday from a very important royal trip.
"Seriously honey call me Zelda-Chan. It's fine!" She jumped off and took his hand and started walking. Link played along. "Well the country is having troubles between other countries and tribes and stuff so my father is hosting a giant party to soften the air. Then they're having a conference and parties in between. It'll last for quite a while. It's going to be great. Since you're my boyfriend you can come and see all sorts of strange people!" Link nodded.
"Sounds fun. When is this?" He looked down at her and smiled. He couldn't help it. He was charming by nature. Zelda's heart melted at the grin.
"In three days. I can't wait!" He smiled slowly. His thoughts drifted to the wolf girl as Zelda started chattering. He looked around the street at the people walking and oogling at the goods out in the sun.
"Honey are you listening?" Zelda squeezed his hand bringing him back to reality. He jumped.
"Sorry I zoned." Zelda looked at him worried.
"What's got you so preoccupied?" He shrugged.
"Just thinking. I should go prepare for this party of yours." Zelda grinned.
"See you there!" She stood on her toes and kissed him. He walked away.
---
It was dark as Link left the house and got Epona. To the party. He sighed. He mounted and whispered into her ear.
"Epona I'm worried. I needed to tell someone." He tapped her sides with his heels egging her on. He kept talking to her. "I'm worried Zelda will make me marry her and I'll be in a horrid one sided relationship the rest of my life. Then I can't stop thinking about the wolf girl. If she's ok and what happened. The party will be scary. Zelda hanging on my arm. No escape. I think Kara is coming but I'm not sure so I have no way to get away. Then there's going to be humans and animal tribes and all sorts of insanity." Epona whinnied. "You're probably right. If I'm not on time Zelda will kill me." He gave a soft laugh and tapped her sides egging her into a run.
---
Link wandered around the party. Kara hadn't showed up yet. He was talking to all sorts of people he knew, and as predicted, Zelda was hanging all over his arm. He was currently talking to Nabooru and Zelda, being jealous, was trying to get him to go and talk to the king about something "really important". He knew she was going after his bachelorship. He was trying to get away. It wasn't working.
"Link seriously. We NEED to go talk to my dad. NOW!" She yanked at his arm.
"Sorry Nabooru I'll catch up later." Nabooru saw the look in his eyes and mouthed Good luck. He was going to need it for sure. She dragged him to the king who was conversing with the Kappa-Sensei, who was the king of the Kappa tribe.
"Father. Me and Link have to talk to you about something very VERY important." She gave him the "hint hint" look. He saw it and gave Link the "I know you don't agree" look. Link looked away. Then he saw it.
Silence fell over the hall. The crowd was parting. Link watched. Even Zelda was silent. Link's eyes widened.
A wolf was walking down the hall. It was silver and its fur glittered beautifully in the light. It's green eyes never strayed from it's target. The king. But no matter how interesting the sight was for every one else, some thing else had Link's eyes.
On the wolf's back a girl sat. She sat with the posture of a queen. She had the long white pelt and mask on. The golden pants. The tooth collar. The wolf girl.
The wolf approached the king.
"King of Hyrule. We the representatives of the wolf clan greet you." The wolf said. It's voice was low and rough like it was constantly growling. The king bowed.
"I welcome you." The king lifted his arms. "Friends!" He bellowed. "Welcome the wolf clan they mean you no harm. Talk to them you may find an acquaintance you wouldn't expect!" He put his arms down. "Feel free to mingle." The wolf bowed as did the girl on his back.
"I thank you." The girl said. They rode away into the crowd. Within minutes the party was back to normal.
"Sorry Zelda what did you need?" The king said. Link was fixated on the spot where they had entered the crowd.
"Link and I... Link. LINK!" She yanked at his arm. He shook her loose. "What are you--!" He didn't turn.
"Just a minute. Important business." Zelda gasped.
"What could be more important than THIS?" She snapped. He ignored her. "LINK!" She screamed. The king put a hand on her shoulder.
"Let him go darling. He has business too just as you and I do." Zelda scowled.
"What business could be more important than me!" The king shrugged.
"I don't know. I don't know..." He murmured. Even if it was a lie.
---
Link pushed through the swarming mass of people. He looked for just a glimpse of her. He couldn't find her. Then he saw her. She sat alone by the punch, arms folded. He made his way to her. He made sure she didn't see him. He made his way to her side.
"I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name." He said. She jumped and turned in warrior position. She saw him and straightened. She reached up and yanked of her mask.
"Earth boy?" She said in amazement. He laughed.
"Is that my name now?" She relaxed.
"Yes. The spirit of earth resides within you and told me to trust you. So I name you Earth boy." He laughed.
"Well in case it's ever needed my name is Link." Link... She stored it away in her memory. "What's your name?" She stiffened.
"I am known as Princess Mononoke." She started to pull on her mask. He took a step and caught her arm.
"Why do you hide your face?" He asked.
"So I do not have to converse or bond with humans." Link blinked. Time stopped. Then a voice cut in.
"Let go of her hand human." He jumped and let go. She yanked on the mask. "Princess. I need to speak with you." The girl walked to the wolf's side and followed him a little ways away. "Earth boy. Stay here."
"What do you want?" She asked him. The wolf scowled.
"That human is special." Mononoke froze.
"How do you know?" The wolf cocked his head to the side.
"I asked mother earth. Trust him and help him. He's in need of your help. Help him find his match." Mononoke took a step back.
"Haki... his match?" Haki nodded.
"He's almost in a permanent match with someone who isn't his match. You must save him.""The mother earth said this?" Haki nodded. "Ok then." Haki pushed her forward with his snout. She walked over to Link.
"I trust you." Link looked at her curiously. Then he smiled.
"Hey. I love this song." He looked at her. "Care to dance?" She pulled her mask up, and smiled.
"I would love to. I must keep on the mask for now though."
"That's fine." She pulled it on and then hooked her arm in his and they headed for the floor.
---
Zelda saw it all. The talking with Link, the wolf, and Link once more. She also saw them hook arms and head for the floor. She saw them start dancing. But he... he's with me... Zelda's eyes narrowed venomously. She will die.