Summary:

Link has began his quest for Hyrule and he's losing steam fast. Everything already sucks and he's taken on some of his first injuries. He doesn't know if he can trust Sheik, and he's feeling pretty unmotivated. What's a Sheikah warrior to do? Maybe light a fire under his ass and show some tough love? Or maybe be a sounding board for the poor guy?

Disclaimer:

This story is mine, the head canon of Sheik being male is prevalent in this story. I think we can all be mature enough to accept that. Characters, places, dialogue used in the series does not belong to me but is © of Nintendo and it's rightful creators.

Warnings:

I have heavily edited this story, and with that there are some additional scenes and scene's I've chosen to remove. This story is going on almost 3 years old and it's an evolution. I can't stand not constantly going over it and finding errors as I re-read my stories often. And as I write other stories in this universe, I have to make updates to fit things together. This story does include violence, adult language and male x male sexual themes.

Previously:

Link gets a pep talk from a shadow warrior, the last of the Sheikah. Coupled with cryptic and somewhat lewd commentary by the ghost guard in Hyrule's town, Link has a dream that incites some weird and kind of unknown feelings.

Chapter 2

(Almost) Not Worth It

A few burns and a dizzying ride on the windmill gear later, Link had what he needed. At least he hoped the Hookshot was what he needed from Kakariko. The once almost barren town was now overrun by Hyrule town patrons. Descending the steps from the windmill he caught sight of Anju, who took a few anecdotes to remember him. She greeted his familiarity with a gentle hug and started to tell him about her new cucoos. He tried to feign interest but after several minutes of chatting he excused himself with a "Gotta go be a hero." Her giggle in reply was enough to put a smile on his face.

On his way towards the gates of the village, Link nearly bumped into the old man that was taking a stroll. Even with his senility from age, he recalled the night five years before when the Castle Town was stormed. Many had been saved, but the rest lost their lives or disappeared. With every person he passed, he saw the stories on their faces. He wanted to save them, and return everything back to normal.

He toyed with the thought of just checking up on his sworn brothers, but stepped out of Kakariko. His childhood friend, Saria, was in danger. He knew that Darunia, the Goron King could better take care of himself than Saria. The village was probably just as worse off, he had the sickening feeling that half or all of it was gone. So he rode all the way to Kokiri, arriving just after sunset. His worry was not misplaced, as the entire forest was devoid of Kokiri. He felt relieved seeing that no major damage was done to their houses or resources. The area was littered with various forest monsters. The most irritating were the ugly octoroks that hit him when his back was turned. He rushed to the Lost Woods, knowing the way to their secret place. Hoping desperately she was out of harms way. Praying to Faeore that she was just sitting there, on her stoop waiting for him as she played her song.

He reached Mido and was at a standstill, though the now shorter Kokiri boy was a bit of a pushover. He hadn't recognized Link and he gave too many clues on how to get past him. Link thanked the boy for finally letting him pass, and his stomach flipped at the things Mido said.

"She always liked him.."

Link smiled lightly and shook his head. "Dont give up little man." He offered and walked through the last few pathways.

Link had to admit that he missed the deku shrubs that used to be there, the large bear like moblins that replaced them were definitely a step up. He slid along the pathways, quietly so not to bother them or keep them from their job. He laughed lightly as he slipped by the last one. His laughter soon died as he ascended the stairs to see the larger moblin wielding a giant hammer. No way of getting past this one without getting it's attention.

He barely made it past with his tunic mostly intact and and just a little blood trailing down from his temple. A couple of the swings hit him and sent him flying back which wasn't good for the cracked rib. The good thing was it only took a couple swings of his sword at the creature's back to put him down for good. The stupid thing couldn't even turn around enough to defend itself. It was dawn when he made it to the final set of stairs, and saw no one. Groaning lightly he sat down and took the last bit of milk that was still in the bottle to heal up. He checked his pack for the hookshot, and a fairy that seemed content in her bottle. He had bombs but knew he'd not really need them for now. He stood up slowly and readied himself to enter the forest temple with the help of a branch that hung over the entrance.

He stopped suddenly, hearing a light rustle in the foliage to his left and it made him jump from his skin when the blue ninja guide dropped down to the ground. "Oh Goddess its just you, I don't think I could have dealt with anymore monsters." As if on queue, the images from the dream popped right back into his brain.

Sheik's eyebrow relaxed, the one showing eye turned up some, as if to show that Sheik had been smiling. Probably from how he got spooked. "The flow of time is always cruel... Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it... A thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days..." the words were barely whispered as the ninja took a few steps towards Link, Sheik seemed to examine Link's flustered features.

Link readied the Ocarina and learned the song that would bend the winds and bring him back again. But before too long, the Minuet of the Forest was over.

"Link... I'll see you again." Sheik whispered and before Link could get in another word the ninja was already gone with a flash of light and a soft breeze.

Link sighed and shook his head. "Well lets get this done, Saria here I come." he sighed and stretched his arms out in front of him. Still feeling watched but he knew that Sheik wouldn't come out again until he probably completed his task at hand, the job was more important than socialization.

Link managed to get past the four witch ghosts of the temple, having exacerbated his prior wounds again in the process ("Thank you, wallmaster."). This place made him too sick, the twisted corridors and the pungent smells were the cause of his loss of breakfast. Not that it was a lot, milk and some stale bread from Kakariko he bought. He was holding his side as he took the elevator down into the final room before the boss. Groaning he leaned against the column for a moment to catch his breath when he saw the room. Link lurched forward to solve the last puzzle.

When Ganondorf appeared he nearly fainted, he was too unprepared to fight the evil king already. Relief washed over him when the monster turned out to be just a phantom. It took some trial and error, but he figured it out with minimal help from Navi who stayed back behind him. As the phantom descended into the underworld he waved at it with a smile.

The Deku Sappling revealed the truth of his birth, how he had been left alone amongst children by his mother. He was living as a secret, even to himself. He was Hylian, but he didn't feel like one. He was raised by Kokiri but he couldn't be one of them. Upon leaving the deku sappling the Kokiri surrounded him and gave him some flowers as a way of thanking him for saving them. He ignored the stabs of pain that hit his lungs when he walked, keeping up the poise of a hero.

He escaped for the last time, hoping that if he gave his once home up now, he'd be able to cope with it better. He gave them the empty promise of returning again soon. He remembered how he was teased, because they knew he wasn't really one of them. No matter how much he tried to be.

He pulled himself up onto Epona's back and caressed her mane. She turned her head to him and he pulled a carrot out for her, halving it and eating the smaller side himself. Together they trotted out of the forest area.

Link had a couple hours before the sun would set, so he was pushing off sleep until then. If he could get a good night sleep now, he knew it'd help make up for the days that he'd have to go without. He never wanted to chance sleeping in a temple, unless he found a treasure room that had a good lock. If any of the temples were like the forest one he just left, it was wet, drafty and musty smelling. Not to mention it wasn't worth a chance with wallmasters, those things were enough to give him nightmares. He passed through the small grove of trees, most of them were bare, save one or two that had thicker foliage with some bare spots.

Link's eyes caught something that kinda stood out amongst the trees.

A blue form caught his eye as he passed by the tree. He slipped down from Epona and caught a better look, wincing slightly from his rib injury.

There, in three thin branches, Sheik was rested against the trunk of the tree as if it were natural.

"Not a very good Sheikah warrior if I can spot you from fifty feet away." Link called out, rather loudly.

Sheik, having kept himself in the lightest cycle of sleep jumped suddenly, his concentration breaking from the technique that made him nearly weightless. As a result one of the thinner branches snapped under his weight and sent the Sheikah tumbling down the tree.

Link blinked and in his heroic attempt he was able to catch the other in his arms, groaning only lightly. "Sheesh you're pretty light."

"What are you doing?" There was a lot of irritation in Sheik's voice, as he fixed his muffler and head wrap the best he could.

"Oh wow you do have two eyes!" Link chuckled, still holding up the other.

"You can put me down, I'd prefer it as this is quite awkward." Sheik didn't give Link a chance before he slipped out of the other's arms. "What are you doing?" he repeated.

"Could ask you the same." Link looked up into the tree. "Not a good hiding place."

"I was sleeping.." Sheik began to climb the tree again.

"Why not at night?" Link brushed himself off. "Like normal people."

"Because unlike you, normal people, I stick out during the day," he explained and sat on a low branch and looked down.

"Makes sense.." Link sat down on the ground at the base of the tree. "Well its a good idea, I think I'll nap here too."

"You will not," Sheik snapped. "You draw attention and I am not allowed to help you fight."

Link just shrugged. "Its been a long day and half, you really going to stop me? I did just finish the Forest Temple, I could give up, I bet even you would with those Wallmasters snatching you up."

Sheik rose a brow and laid along the thick branch. "You wouldn't give up, so why are you baiting me?"

"Just wanting to chat.." Link replied, glancing up. "You got time?"

"No, I was wishing to sleep.. but go ahead." Sheik moved back into his previous position and pulled his muffler up more.

Link just chuckled. "I found out that I'm a Hylian." he started. "Everyone knew but me, I was bullied for not having a fairy. When they knew I wouldn't get one. Even if I wasn't the chosen one. It's kinda lonely, I know I have the entire race of Hylians but I grew up a Kokiri, so I have that quiet mindset, but I cant even fit in my house hardly to remain there." Or be welcomed...

"You cant be with those who raised you, and you cant be with your own kind because you don't fit in." Sheik moved to lay along the branch on his back, looking through the leaves into the bright blue sky.

"Exactly, I dont even have my childhood friend to visit right now... I can call upon her with her song, but sometimes you kinda need the energy that comes from being around them." He pulled his knees up some. "Sounds very un-heroic doesn't it?"

Sheik just shrugged. "Honestly, you are lonely... I dont have much to elaborate on at the moment, I wish I could give you some advice We do have that in common."

Link leaned against the tree and closed his eyes. "You're gonna have to tell me your story sometime.." He pulled his hat down over his face some and slipped into needed sleep.

Sheik looked down over the edge of a leaf and sat up. He jumped down silently and went to Epona, caressing along the top of her head gently. "Stay ok?" he whispered and went to her saddle pack and grabbed the blanket and threw it over Link and then disappeared.

When Link woke up to the cucoo's cawing he stretched and looked up into the tree, seeing it empty and not being surprised. He felt a bit refreshed, but with the movement of his muscles he felt a wave of stiffness and pain.

"Looks like I am walking with you Epona.." He groaned and took her reigns. Just as he started to get ready to leave, he noticed the blanket and smiled as he picked it up. "I think you're warming up to me Sheik."

He ascended the steps to the village and first made a stop at the potion shop. A red potion would ease his muscles, and heal his ribs. He was a bit discontent when he questioned the price of it, not sure if he could find it anywhere cheaper. He took it outside to chug down. The bone healed completely, and his tired and sore muscles loosened. He stretched some and adjusted his pack and headed up to scale the mountainside to save his sworn brothers.

Next time:

Sheik nodded in confirmation. "From one warrior of the goddesses to another. Is there anything I can do to help you get back on track?" His tone was much softer than it had been when they first talked, his face serious and he seemed devoted to doing what he could. Link just knew that Sheik couldn't take over for him.

(Thanks for reading! Let me know how I did!)