Chapter 2: The Rain
It was a Wednesday. The students did their daily activities in school. Some were attending Physics class, some were given lessons in English, and some were having Arts class. Link, being a freshman, was learning new things in Basics in Science.
'Man, I hate this… I don't get the formula at all!' Link was at the back seat of the class, near the window. He oftentimes glanced outside and could see the elementary students either taking a break or going home with their parents or their guardians.
He felt that he wanted to go out more, and enjoy life. He is enjoying his high school life so far, with so many friends to hang out with, but he wanted to make an escape somehow… 'No, I can't skip classes. I'm not that smart to cope up with all my lessons. And, what would my Grandpa think of my grades? Guwaaah… I guess I need to put up with this…'
As he was glancing outside, he spotted the playground again. This time it was filled with kids and their guardians. But there he was again- looking as lonely as ever. Link sensed something sinister just looking at him. He was there ever since… last week. That's right, last week. It was just last week that Zelda left for a whole month's vacation with her father. Whatever the weather was; windy, drizzly, sunny, cloudy… he stayed there in the playground.
It made Link so curious. 'What does he want?'
Taking another look at the boy from afar, he sensed something… undefined. Now he doesn't know how he should feel for the loner.
At dismissal time, he decided to approach the lonely boy. As expected, the friendless boy was all alone in the playground, sitting on top of the monkey bars swaying his legs around. He was looking at something that seems so distant, so far away.
"Hey," a voice disturbed his contemplation.
He looked down to find a boy in green. The boy was smiling at him. Thought the boy in green, 'Well, no one seems to mind him, which is a big mystery. I'm gonna get to the bottom of this!'
"Hi! Are you a new kid? Never seen you before in class! And classes just started this month!" said Link.
The boy just stared at him, and then looked away. Link noticed that his eyes were so… sad.
"Um, in that case…" he stretched his hand to the "stranger". "Link."
The boy stared at him, filled with curiosity. "I-I'm… I shouldn't really be talking to strangers…"
'Strangers?! Strangers, my big fat…' Apparently, Link didn't want to take this as an answer from the lad. He tried to collect himself before speaking any further. "Don't worry, I won't bite!"
The boy looked at him from head to toe from where he was sitting.
"Aah.. m-my name is… I-It's Vaati…"he said with a demure voice. Then again, he looked away, covering his face with his soft, lavender hair.
"Oh, I see! Nice to meet you!" Link smiled at him. 'Stop pretending like you don't know me!'
Despite this, Link decided to pretend that he doesn't know Vaati, just to go with the flow. He knew perfectly well what this guy did; from kidnapping Zelda to turning people to stone. He wasn't someone to be friends with and to mess around with.
"So, Vaati. I just noticed that you were… the lonely type."
"…" Vaati didn't even look at Link's eyes.
The boy in green climbed up the monkey bars and sat beside him. Vaati still didn't mind. "Don't worry, I'm here! Is someone already bullying you? I'll take care of them!"
Vaati didn't say a word but just looked at him with lonely eyes. His lips then let out a sigh.
"No…" Vaati said, not giving Link any eye contact. 'That wasn't it. That wasn't it, Link…' Vaati contemplated once more.
"Well, I understand you. After all, you're just a new student here, I mean; you're not even in uniform yet…."
"No, I'm not. I'm not a new student…"
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Just… enjoying the peacefulness…"
At this point, Link felt more and more inquisitive about Vaati's real reason for returning in Hyrule. There are numerous possibilities; and they don't seem to be very good either.
Link looked at the ground. A silent pause had befallen them. It was only then that Link broke the silence and looked at his wrist watch. "Golly, look at the time! Grampa's gonna be worried sick about me!"
He jumped down and turned to Vaati, who was still in the same position since he approached the loner. "I'll see you tomorrow, then! Bye!" Link got his bags and scampered off.
Now Vaati was left all alone. He looked at Link as the boy in green left the school grounds so happily… so worriless. 'You don't know just how lucky you are…'
A tear drop fell from Vaati's visible eye.
***
"Grampa Smith! I'm HOME!" called out Link upon opening the front door. His voice echoed all throughout the house.
"Welcome back!" greeted Smith happily while forging Link's backup sword. "So, how was school today?"
"Oh, it was great!" Then Link recalled his talk with Vaati. He stared at the ground for a while.
"What's wrong?" The blacksmith just noticed his grandson's sudden pause. It was not like him to be serious all of a sudden; nothing really ever seems to bother Link, not even rescuing people often.
"Grandpa, do you remember that day… when Zelda was turned to stone?" said Link with a serious tone.
"Ah, you had a bad dream… that's ok, Link."
Link was astonished by this. 'He doesn't remember that guy?'
"But yes, I remember that they had a serious problem before. That some bad guy tried to take over the castle?"
"Yes, that!" Link's eyes widened. "Do you know who that someone is?"
"What, is this for your assignment? Hmmm… well…" Smith thought for a second. "Nope, sorry, Link. I can't even remember his face. Sorry."
'No way… so no one can really remember this guy? But how come?! Did he pull some kind of magic again?' "Uh, well thanks, Grampa." 'Thanks for giving me an excuse to use my computer.' "I guess I'll just check on the Internet, then."
So many thoughts about the mysterious Vaati encircled around his mind. He needs to know WHY the said wind mage is here. Not only that, he needs to know what to do just in case Vaati hasn't learned his lesson yet.
After opening his computer and it had set up completely, Link opened his YM account in his computer. He couldn't stand not having music while he was on the monitor, so he decided to open the Windows Media Player and listen to some songs.
"TheWindWakersDream: Hey, how are you?
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: heyy, been a while! ^w^
TheWindWakersDream: Haha, yeah. Been so busy lately!
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: yeah. it sucks. .
TheWindWakersDream: How's life?
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: isn't it sad? we're in the same school, in the same… identity, if that's what you call it, but we're not having contacts with each other. XP
TheWindWakersDream: Very sad. ;_;
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: well, i'm ok. i guess school's just warming up on me. how bout you?
TheWindWakersDream: Well, just ok. Ahh, I know this is a bit out of topic, but…
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: yes?
TheWindWakersDream: Um… do you know someone named Vaati?
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: … vaati.
the weird kid who can't breathe?
TheWindWakersDream: What?
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: well his skin IS purple. XDD
TheWindWakersDream: I guess you could put it that way. XDDD
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: yep. i keep seeing him in school, too. but he doesn't seem to be attending his classes. he's not even in school uniform. B|
Link was astonished. He thought that he was the only person in the whole of Hyrule who can remember this scoundrel; but no, Dark can perfectly remember him. Just what is going on?
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: sorry i had to leave so soon, link. need to take a bath before going to sleep. ^^
TheWindWakersDream: Thanks for your time. Bye! 0:-)
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: lolz ~~ squiggly-squiggly-heart XDD
TheWindWakersDream: You sound like a fangirl. rofl
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: you? an ANGEL? in your dreams! you dreamer…
TheWindWakersDream: I AM the dream!
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: ahhahaha! I am teh stalker in your dreams! you are PWNED!one!eleven!two!
TheWindWakersDream: Oh, alright already! Goodnight~!
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04: sleep tight… if you can. 8D
TheWindWakersDream: Lol! :D
ShAdOwStAlKeR_04 has signed out.
At that, Link signed out as well. He surfed more in the Internet, searching for flash games, checking his accounts, downloaded some pictures and mp3's, and the like. He shut down the computer at who knows when. Then, after a long stay in the Internet (for a school day), he decided to sleep. It was a rainy, sleepy night for Link.
***
'Nnhh…so early?'
Link's alarm tone in his cell phone could be heard. It was "Underworld" from Kid Icarus, SSBB mix. Link rolled to his left, then to his right, until he almost fell from his bed. 'Five…more…minutes…'
Without opening his eyes, he pushed the button. He didn't realize that he didn't push the snooze button. Instead, he accidentally pushed the alarm stopper button.
It was only after an hour that Link woke up. The winds and the rain have gotten much stronger than yesterday. He looked at his cell phone's timer. 'WHAAAAT?! I'm gonna be considered "half-day" in school! Rats!'
He was aiming to get a "perfect attendance award"; since that was the only award he was sure to get his hands on. But no, this time he was late for school!
He hastily ran down the stairs, almost tempted to grind along the staircase's rails. He found his grandfather working on some weapons.
He approached his grandfather. "Grandpa, why didn't you wake me up? I didn't know that I was snoozing off excessively!"
"Ah, Link my BOY! I thought you were awake all night so I thought you already knew the news!"
"The news?" Link stared at his grandfather full of curiosity.
"Yes. No classes due to heavy rain!" his grandfather seemed to feel Link's joy, although he knew that this was bad news in its very essence. A day free from school due to a typhoon.
"Seriously?" Link seemed to keep all his excitement inside.
"Will I ever kid you?"
Link was delighted. At last, a day off from school. Back to sleep!
Link decided to go back to sleep after talking with his grandfather a bit more about the news. A typhoon just struck the land and signal no.2 was raised in their area. It was an ideal weather to take a long sleep in your warm, cozy home. He slept for another hour before his body told him that he got all the sleep he needed.
'Hmmm… how come is it that I feel like I'm forgetting something yet again?' While he was trying to recall what he was pondering about, his cell phone rung. He looked at it. Dark was calling him.
"Hello?" He said upon answering.
"Hey, Link! I see you heard the news." Dark seemed all relaxed.
"Yeah…" Link couldn't think of anything to say.
"What's the matter? You seem… ah, you just woke up from your second round of sleep, didn't you?"
"Uh-huh."
Link was getting onto something. 'Hmm… I also talked with Dark last night… and we were… a-ahh..' "THAT'S IT!"
"What?!" Apparently, Dark was so surprised by Link's sudden outburst on the phone.
"I'm sorry, Dark, but it's a long story. I'll call you back!"
Dark let out a small groan, probably pissed off that someone yelled in his ear on the phone. "Sure."
Link hung up the phone then immediately ran to his grandfather who was downstairs sipping a cup of hot chocolate listening to the news.
"Grandpa, you need to drive me to the playground right now!" Smith looked at him and wondered. Why would his grandson want to go out in a dangerous weather like this?
'Ah, kids these days…' He thought before he asked, "Why, Link?"
"Long story." Link looked outside and began to look really worried.
It was getting stronger by the minute, by the second, by the millisecond… Link just couldn't take it anymore and turned to his grandfather with firm yet pleading eyes. So, they went to the garage and got in the car. It was a simple, sturdy, family car that his grandfather bought first-hand. They drove outside and into the rain. The rain was so strong that almost nothing can be seen, even with the help of the windshield's wipers. Link looked outside the window anxiously, almost standing.
'This is really weird… I shouldn't really worry about this… but… why…?' Link thought to himself with mixed feelings.
They arrived at the playground. Link grabbed an umbrella, a raincoat, and a flashlight and went outside. He searched the playground; he checked the slides, the monkey bars, the jungle gym, and the swingset. Then he spotted a maze-a parabolic maze where kids would hide in and pop their heads out of.
Link's imagination began to go wild. 'It's either that he's in there, or he's not here. The second option would be better, though…'
Link approached the maze. He peeped inside a hole, but it was a bit dark and blurry to see anything. Then he remembered that he had a flashlight and turned it on. He looked inside much deeper, and then he saw what he was looking for.
The poor fellow was totally drenched, and was just forcing himself to sleep inside the "shelter" of the playground. His hair was scruffy due to the harsh rain and the winds. His bag of necessities was all he had with him, turning it into an improvised pillow. He felt his heart sink and without further ado, he carried Vaati in his arms and went to the vehicle as fast as he could.
Upon opening the vehicle's back door, he saw that Smith had just laid out a towel for Vaati to lie down on and to be wrapped with. Link decided to stay in the backseat for now, unlike before that he always stays in the passenger's seat.
"My goodness, that's what you meant…" exclaimed Smith as he drove off, looking at Link and Vaati from the rear view mirror.
Link looked at Vaati with worried eyes. It was very unlikely for him, but he felt so sorry that he wanted to cry for the poor youth. He recalled that the wind mage was very lonely lately and seemed harmless, unlike before. He seemed to have turned over a new leaf. He couldn't even sense that evilness in him anymore; instead he sensed a yearning for belongingness. What's even more painful is the fact that the poor lad stayed in the playground no matter the weather. That did it. Link shed a tear drop for Vaati.
They finally arrived home. Link and Smith helped each other carry the unconscious youngster. The elderly blacksmith agreed to take the drenched lad's bag, to wash all his belongings and to dry them.
Link decided to bring Vaati to his room and dress him up in his own house clothes. He made the youngster wear some sort of a nightgown, for free movement. He put Vaati's drenched clothes with the rest of the laundry that his Grandfather Smith had to wash in the washing machine.
He went back upstairs and saw Vaati sleeping soundly. This made him feel a bit delighted and a bit guilty at the same time. After all, Vaati was indeed a public enemy before, and now he's helping him! But then again, would a public enemy stay in the playground and retain an innocent look on his face?
'I dunno, but that face, those eyes… they're not faking me…' Link thought to himself.
Later that afternoon…
'Nnnh… unhh… i-it's warm…'
Vaati woke up and saw the mint green ceiling above him. He squinted a bit, not being used to the color. He sat up and found himself on Link's bed, in his room. 'I-It's… someone's room…? It's… nice…'
His eyes were filled with amazement as he had a good look at the room from the bed. The atmosphere was unaffected by the harsh typhoon, for it was as serene and orderly as ever; unlike all that he could see from outside the window beside the bed.
He stared outside the window.
'It's a real mess… W-who could've saved me from such a harsh weather…? I… I could've died of pneumonia…' "Ahh…. Ah-CHOO!" Vaati then wiped his nose with his long sleeve. 'And I think I just got myself a symptom of that syndrome… No… don't get sick! You'll just get whoever let you in more trouble!'
He hugged his pillow tighter as he felt a bit colder. He just can't get sick; he planned on leaving immediately as soon as the rain died down. But it seemed that this wasn't anytime soon…
The heavy rain and the strong winds intensified. Lightning struck and thunder growled with all its might. "AAAAAAAAAH!" cried the poor frightened boy as he covered himself with pillows and blankets in shock.
Link immediately ran upstairs to his room. He found a miserable sorcerer wrapped in blankets, shaking and whimpering.
"Vaati?" Link comforted him.
Vaati started to calm down, and slowly looked at Link. His eyes were full of fear and shock, from the loud thunder and his sudden stay in the hero's place.
"Shhhh… there, there, it's OK… we're here… we're not going to hurt you…" assured Link to Vaati.
He spoke very calmly and gently. He patted the frightened boy's back slowly and gently. At last, the panicked boy had calmed himself down.
"Feel better?"
At this, Vaati nodded. He looked at Link's eyes. 'They're… so peaceful… I wish I had those eyes…'
"Rest. You'll need it. You might get sick from all that exposure under the rain, you know?" said Link with a slight chuckle to cheer Vaati up. The young wind mage nodded and went back to sleep. Link watched over the worn-out sorcerer as he slept.
'Why is this happening…? Why is he so nice to someone like me…?'
