Darkness Doesn't Necessarily Mark One as Evil

RATING: T

SUMMARY: Kit knew all too well that things were not as they seem. Darkness didn't always mean evil, light didn't always mean good, and just because someone had been controlled didn't mean they didn't deserve a second chance. OC warning! Femmslash/Possible Yaoi

AUTHORESS'S NOTE: I just finished editing the first chapter, and since I'm not tired enough to sleep quite yet, I figured I'd get a head-start on the second chappie while I'm up and at it. On a side note, I love the whole Dark Link/Link dynamic some writers portray; and others send shivers down my spine and make me chuckle. Anywho, let's get this on the road!

DISCLAIMER: Oh, for Naryu's love! I don't own anything except Kit and whatever random person I choose to make up to suit my needs!

Kit bit her tongue as Epona galloped; he was trying to make her pain last a shorter period of time, at least, but it was hell. She had a hand pressed to the wound at her side, and she held on with her injured arm for all she was worth. 'I should have taken the front seat.' She could swear that she could taste blood in her mouth, but she knew that she hadn't bitten her tongue nearly hard enough. Now, if she had bitten the inside of her cheeks, then that would be a different story all together.

Her arm grasped Link's waist tightly as they approached the fences. It had been two hours of pure torture as she tried not to vocalize the pain of the jostling Epona's gait gave to her riders. Usually she didn't mind it so much, having gotten rather used to riding behind the blonde as this was their only mode of transportation other than walking everywhere or teleporting via warp song, but she'd almost forgotten how badly this type of movement agitated a wound.

As the equestrian they were riding cleared the first fence, she bit her tongue a bit, the muscle becoming sore, and on the second one she buried her face into the Hero's green-clad shoulder, muffling a scream as the new, tender, and far-too delicate scar tissue and scabs that had managed to form on her side-wound ripped. She felt hot tears of pain soak into Link's shirt, but he didn't say anything loudly.

She heard mumbles like "Sorry, I'm so sorry." Over and over again, but she just tightened her grasp, pressed her hand on the lump of bandages and cotton, and hid her pained face from the world as she trembled. It would have been more bearable had it not been agitated and sore from the day's activities, but she had to grin and bear it for now. They'd needed to get to the lake; and the only thing that would stop them was her injuries. He slipped off Epona after a few more minutes, and she simply lay down halfway on the saddle, still clutching her side with her free hand in a fist so tight the dark leather of her gauntlets was almost stretching and her knuckles were white.

"I'll be back; I'm going to go try to get some red potion from the old guy, okay?"

She bit her lip and nodded; unable to open her mouth for fear that she would only worry him more for making a noise that betrayed how much pain she was going through at the moment. Epona walked around slowly; gently for a little bit before settling for some tufts of grass.

"Good girl." She stroked the short orange-tinged chestnut fur, the horse neighing in an almost-apology. "It's okay. I know you didn't want to hurt me. I'll be fine." She spoke softly to her, patting her. Epona and Link were closer, that was true, but she had a bond with this horse as well. She had been to the ranch less when they were littler, that was all, but she still loved the horse.

Soon Link returned with a bottle that was half-full of red potion, undiluted in all its slimy glory. She pushed herself into a seated position, taking her hand off her side and yelped—removing the pressure meant that a new type of pain came dancing onto her nerve endings, which was the bandages slowly coming away from the wound.

She uncorked the bottle and gave a half-hearted grin, which was all she could muster. "Bottoms up." She downed it in one gulp, almost retching at the bitter, sour taste and moreover the slimy texture of the potion as it slid down her throat. But, fortunately, she managed to hold it back. She could feel her skin knitting back together, and she relaxed considerably.

Sliding off the horse, she undid the ties at the sides once more to untie the blood-soaked bandages around her midsection, dropping them onto the grass uncaringly after wiping all the blood she could from her skin. If they needed washed, it would have to be after the lake was refilled. She shrugged off her gear and the shoulder of her top after undoing the clasps and buckles and untying the ties at the top, and untied the bandages there.

She was rather glad that there was barely a scar left in both locations, and the new skin felt strong. The scars were barely a eighth of the size the wounds had been. They would probably heal over and become normal skin in two weeks or more, it depended on many variants at this point and she couldn't come up with a certain estimate. She then grabbed the hem of her shirt, noticing Link was changing into his blue tunic, so she retrieved it from her own pack, quickly pawing aside her much-too-large plain Goron tunic, and then changed into it in record time.

He blinked when he saw that she had changed her top already, and was then fixing her gear back on top of it. He fixed his new blue cap atop his head, glad the King had thought of it. He took comfort in his hat, as he had grown up with the comfortable weight on his head.

"You look…" His face was one of awe.

She looked over at him curiously. Her hair shone in the sun and enhanced her colouring further, and the tunic was perfect for her. It went down to her mid-thigh, and the way it was cut and made enhanced her form, especially her small waist. She looked almost like the royalty she would be if she had decided to marry Ruto—but she did so in an almost dangerous way. The dark colours of the pants and leather made the tunic brighter, almost, and it showed her hair and eyes off rather well. The silver matched the earrings in her ears and the metal bits on her gear. It was also low enough to show some of her cleavage, enough for her to be satisfied with it. He had gotten used to her slightly odd way of dressing over time, but it always slightly shocked the Hylian people that saw her in Kakariko.

"I look what?"

"You look beautiful." He smiled earnestly, and she smiled back. He was like her brother, and knew she didn't think very much on her looks even though she was very pretty; and she didn't have to opt for makeup and new hairstyles like some did. She was pretty even in rags—he knew. He'd seen her that way more than once, especially after a temple or after a long fight.

"Thanks brother." She mumbled. She hadn't had any siblings before her family died, Link knew, so that it was an honor to truly be considered family in her eyes. He considered her his sister, too, so it worked out.

He gave a joking smile. "I think the Gorons are rubbing off on you, sis." He then began to put a quick waterproofing enchantment on their gear, as leather tended to soak up water.

She rolled her eyes after he had finished. He was the one that was better in enchantments, really; she was better at sensing changes in magic, however. "Right. If I try to eat a rock do me a favor and smack me, would you?"

"I'd do it right now if you'd like!" Navi piped up as she came into view, having been in Link's hat for the fast, rough ride. A tinkling sound confirmed that she laughed, and they couldn't help but to laugh too.

They then ditched their packs on Epona, taking only the essentials and the weapons in their Bag of Holding, which she would keep on her waist. She always did, because she'd been the one to actually find it, and he felt awkward with it on his belt. It was also waterproof, which was a nice feature of it.

"Ruto definitely had a hand in making that tunic." He smiled, and the redhead nodded as they started across the bridge.

"I know she did. I'll make sure to thank her before I discuss what needs to be with her." She spoke lightly, even though the words carried an iron weight. When they reached the island Kit walked over to the tree. She rubbed her hand across the claw marks which were a mystery in themselves—how they got to be here, they'll probably never find out. A soft thud behind her made her eyes soften as she turned.

"Ah, Sheik." She walked over and took both his hands in hers, and gave them a slight squeeze. Even though Link and Navi couldn't tell, he was smiling underneath that cowl and that bang of hair. His red eyes were happy. He squeezed her hands back in their way of a greeting before they dropped their hands back to their sides.

"Kit. I see you're still in good health." His eyes wandered over her form as if to confirm that assumption and immediately spotted the seal on her chest, only about two inches in width but still vividly visible. "The Zora's royal crest…?" He pondered on the colour. He knew what it meant, having dealt with the different races at one time or another.

"Ah…Yes." She coughed a bit. "Remember how I said that getting the sapphire had been an odd experience?"

He gave a tiny nod.

"Well, apparently the Zora use it as the royal 'engagement ring'." She air-quoted the last two words. "Since I carried Ruto throughout the entirety of Jabu-Jabu's belly, protected her, and didn't leave her, she apparently fell in love with me enough to give the stone." Her cheeks were tinged red with embarrassment for not telling him sooner. "We needed it and I couldn't put the quest at risk, so I had no choice but to accept."

"Ah. So that is why she wants to see you and keeps asking if her love is here yet." He monotoned. "I thought she had meant Link."

"I…I don't love her, not the way she does me. I talked it over with her father and he knows I'll do what's right—I just can't do this to her or myself. We would be able to have children, thanks to an enchantment the Zora possess knowledge of, but…" She shook her head.

"I understand. She's a friend but you couldn't end it before."

"Correct. Neither she nor I had the power to do so back then, since we were children. Once the stone was given, it was a sealed deal until we were older and could decide things for ourselves."

He nodded. "But still, you didn't think to bring this up sooner?"

"Well, it didn't exactly hold any relevance. I'm sorry, Sheik."

"It's fine. Now I know why the townspeople got a bit more hateful after you returned from getting the Sapphire."

She shrugged. "Anyway, the king and I are close in a familial sense, and he isn't going to need the marriage to be able to claim me, somewhat, as his adopted daughter. I'm also apparently still considered as honorary royalty among the Zora. I don't want to be, but I can't go against his wishes and even if I did I still would be."

He nodded. "I'm glad for you. She has missed you, though."

"I know. Where is she? The temple?"

"Naturally. It's the only place I can keep her safe." He spoke as if it was the most sensible thing in the whole world.

"Right. Don't rub it in buddy." She rolled her eyes. She ignored him while he was doing his little speech, and then he got out his harp. Now this was the part of their meetings she always looked forward to. He played the warp song and she immediately fell in love with the tune, as she had each and every song they had learned in this journey. Link put the Ocarina of Time to his lips and she took in a breath. Their music echoed across the mostly empty lake, two instruments and one voice blending together. They played it over and over until it was deeply ingrained into their memories.

"This is the Serenade of Water." Sheik spoke, his red eye closed. "Use it well, Hero." He opened his eyes—well, his visible eye opened at least—and centered on Kit. "By the way…Some people have taken to calling you the Heroine."

"I've noticed." She nodded. "King Zora did so as well. How many people are?"

"…The Zora, of course, and even some of the Gorons. A few Hylians at the camp are beginning to as well. It only makes sense, since you are on this quest as well."

She gave a short nod. "Okay. Be careful."

"I will." He smiled, and in the flash of a Deku nut, he was gone. Kit had shielded her eyes whereas Navi was screeching about how he just had to do that every time he disappeared, and Link was frozen for a little bit, having forgotten how Sheik liked to make his exit.

"Oh, come now Navi. Sheik has more important things to do than hold us up at the beginning of each temple." She rolled her eyes. "Right…Now, how do we get in?" She peered over the side and her eyes widened. "Oh yeah!" She started sliding down the side of the island and Link followed curiously. At the bottom where there was still water she pointed at the gate. "I think we need the hookshot." He nodded, and then donned his Iron boots then sank to the bottom of the lake. She took a breath—even though she knew she wouldn't need it—and dove underwater, quickly catching up to him. Kit was glad that she was able to swim a great deal better than Link was able to.

He nodded and she smiled at him underwater. She decided to try to talk, just to see what would happen. "Hey, Link!"

It was only a little muffled because of the water, and he grinned. Even though they could breathe underwater due to the enchantment, neither of them felt the water flow into their lungs. That was good.

"Okay, we can talk. That's going to be useful." He aimed the hookshot and then clicked the release button, sending it forward. It struck the trigger-crystal and it changed colours, signifying that it was activated. The gate opened and she started swimming towards it, Link having a bit of trouble with the Iron Boots equipped, but he still managed. Maybe it would be easier to not use these things, he groused inwardly.

XxXxXxXxX

After they had gone through the central area, not really sightseeing as they had a duty to do, Link looked down the hole. They'd gone to the right from the central area.

"Well, start sinking down. I'll follow." Her wet hair hung down her back in wet waves, stopping just short of being able to be sat on. The tunic looked dry in water and dried quickly otherwise, but it still let water in. Her clothes were soaked but she could deal with it, and the waterproofing charm had kept the inside of her boots dry, thankfully enough. It did the same for his.

"Got it." He slipped on the Iron boots and sunk into the hole, and she started swimming down too, quickly passing him. She reached the bottom first and gasped. "Ruto!" she had apparently been pacing the hall's length in worry.

"Kit, my love!" The female Zora rushed forward and hugged the redhead tightly, embracing her as if she would never let go.

"Hello Ruto…" She hugged her back and patted her back. Her shoulders shook almost as if she was…crying? She couldn't tell. She also had a gnawing feeling at her gut at what Ruto had called her.

"I missed you so much." Link finally touched down and ignored the private moment, opting to stare at a wall. "I thought you may have died." She wiped her eyes—although tears in the water were indistinguishable—and she smiled. "You look gorgeous in that tunic."

The wet red hair floated easily behind her, and the ease at which she moved in the water was impressive. Ruto kept her down on the floor of the room, thankfully enough, as she didn't want to tread water for the entire time they would be talking. "Thank you. I have a most delicate matter to discuss with you, Ruto."

She smiled brightly. "Okay, sure!" She chirped, holding the redhead's hand in her own. The girl allowed it because not only had Ruto been obviously worried sick, she was going to not react well. Already, she could tell.

"Link…" He nodded and walked further down the hall. Kit turned her attention back to Ruto. "…Ruto, we have to end the engagement." She winced at how weak her voice sounded. She really didn't want to hurt the Princess, truly, but this had to be done. Hopefully Ruto could see how torn up she was.

"W…Why?" Both her hands were grasped tightly in the Zora's hands. She had grown up to be beautiful, Kit noticed, but she just couldn't go through with this.

"…Because. I can't stand hurting you like this." She started off with a sigh. "I might not live through this endeavor, you must understand…And you deserve better than I. Not only that, but I have a duty even above aiding Link. It is to my heart and to doing what is right."

She bit her lip, her eyes piercing the reddish brown, almost feeling like she was peering into the redhead's soul. "I understand that you might not be alive after all is said and done…And you have far more worth than you give yourself credit to." She spoke the last bit sternly.

"I realize that, but then that may lead to hesitation…and hesitation can be deadly even in the smallest amounts." She sighed, running her thumb over Ruto's knuckles.

"I know you want to do what's right, and I respect and love you for it. I love you for more than just what you did for me in Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly, Kit. That is why I have cherished the time we have spent together." She smiled at the redhead.

"…I talked to your father; by the way…We freed him from the red ice." She spoke lowly. "He says that he loves you, but he left the decision up to us on whether or not the engagement still stands. Ruto, please… I cannot do this to you or myself."

"…You don't love me." She looked like she was going to cry.

"No, I do love you; just not in the way you ask of me. I love you as a dear friend, one of the dearest I have had. You took care of me and loved me like no other person has dared to in my life, and you looked past my appearance and questionable ancestry. You gave me a place I was accepted, Ruto, with the Zora. For that, I am eternally grateful. But I must do what is right." She spoke the last bit with such conviction the princess was soothed.

The woman she had chosen to give the stone to had not only proven her worth time and time again—she held an intelligence and common sense that was useful and well developed. She had a strong sense of wrong and right, and she had lived through so much that she knew she had an inner strength most would never be able to have. She also felt the urge to do what was right…even if it ended up hurting herself.

"…I understand." She sighed, and her lip trembled. She had thought that the redhead would marry her after Ganondorf had been slain, but apparently it was not to be so. "…Can we come to a final decision later? We will meet again, I assure you. I just need…"

"Some time to think?" She offered. The princess nodded, and dropped the redhead's hands, which went to her shoulders. "Ruto, you grew up to be one of the most gorgeous Zora I have ever seen. Do not doubt yourself. Do what you know is right and what must be done." The princess nodded before hugging her once more.

"…You're still my love, Kit. That is something that cannot be dissipated so easily as an engagement."

The redhead hugged her back after a moment. "…I know, Ruto. I know. I'm sorry."

They walked to meet Link, Ruto looking lost in thought and a bit upset, and with Kit looking relieved that she hadn't had to incapacitate the Princess before she had hurt her or herself. The female Zora smiled at them, told them to be careful, and swam off.

Link looked at his redheaded 'adopted' sister. "…You okay?"

"It went more smoothly than I had originally thought." She allowed. "However, she needs some time to think about it. She knows we will meet again, however, so I allowed her that much."

He smiled. "You're a good woman for doing so."

"Yeah, yeah. Now let's get going." Navi chimed her assent from the bubble Link had thought to put around her so she could breathe.

XxXxXxXxX

Many rooms later and many defeated enemies later, they approached a door and Kit gave a shiver. They all knew what that involuntary reaction was; she sensed magic, and apparently it was a large amount of said energy. They entered a room and found that it was a large, eerily empty space.

All it had was a small island of sand in the middle which had a creepy, dark-wooded dead tree in the center of it. The floor was apparently covered in water—it barely reached her ankle, however, so it wasn't that much of a hindrance. White fog made the room seem to go on forever, but she sensed that this was an illusion. She walked over to one of the sides with her hand placed out with her palm flat and soon found the wall. "This room isn't as big as it looks, Link." She called softly.

"This place gives me the creeps!" The fairy's wings sank down low. Kit knew that the wings didn't need to flap for fairies to fly, but it was a bit disconcerting. She walked with Link over to the opposite door from where they had come in and found it barred with those damned iron bars that seemed to be in their way at every turn in temples. Her back stiffened as she turned around, whilst Link was kicking the door and grumbling curses. She felt a change in the energy within this room, and she didn't like it one bit. They slowly and cautiously went back to the other door…Only to find it barred too. She turned her head to the side enough to look behind her, convinced she felt eyes on her form—and her breath hitched in the back of her throat.

"L…Link…" She whispered, her throat dry all of a sudden.

"Link, there's someone behind you!" Navi screeched in his ear which made him flip around and draw his sword and shield in a flash. He was the only one with a shield right now—Kit had lost hers during the fight with Volvagia, and hadn't gotten a replacement quite yet. It honestly reminded her of the days before she had met Link; she hadn't had a shield until she'd met him.

"Who are you?" He asked, his face carefully kept blank. No answer came from the raven-haired teen.

The figure looked almost exactly like Link—except for a few differences. The colouring, mainly. The other teenaged male wore a black tunic with black leather gear—such as gauntlets, belts, and the like—with white tights and the white undershirt akin to the one Link wore underneath his blue tunic. He had no shield, and his face was blank, almost creepily so. His eyes didn't have any focus or pupil in them at all, and they were crimson, his hair a glossy deep black. His skin was pale and held a greyish tinge, most likely from never seeing the sunlight. Or perhaps his skin tone was just like that. Some would even venture so far as to say that it looked tainted with darkness. His blade was a replica of the Master Sword—only it was ebony-coloured. An ebony blade, she decided she'd call it.

She didn't draw her blade, taking the hint that Link was the one to fight him. She noticed that his reflection was gone—but then again, this place was a place of illusionary trickery. It meant nothing. "Link…This is your fight." She went to stand in a corner. "He's being controlled…He isn't aware of you, per se, it seems as though all Ganondorf needed was control of his body. It's as though he's supposed to represent a dark version of you…"

He stiffened, and then the raven-haired boy leapt, slashing at him with his sword. He blocked with his shield, grunting from the force behind the attack. Kit silently closed her eyes and bit her lip. Not her fight. If she opened her eyes, it would only encourage her to interfere, and that could have some serious consequences.

For awhile, she steeled her reserve as she listened to the clashing steel, once in awhile a sound or gasp of slight pain from Link—not a scream though—made her twitch, but soon she opened her eyes and watched the fight progress. She was soon trailing behind them, interested in how the 'Shadow' of Link fought. His skills were roughly the same as the Hero's—but he lacked a shield and almost all the gadgets he owned. Soon she saw the sight of the black-clothed teen impaled through the chest by the blade of evil's bane, and Link uncaringly pushed him off with his booted foot.

She was staring into the red eyes and her eyes widened, seeing emotions such as pain, confusion, and sadness, along with a pupil growing in the middle of the red. '…Controlled…' She thought absently, the back of her right hand itching and growing warm. He landed in the water with a pained grunt, tears leaking from his eyes, the blood beginning to spread. She felt something in her heart clench, and it set her adrenaline rushing. She couldn't think straight.

Link swung his sword to decapitate the red-eyed teen only to have his blade caught in the right hand of his redheaded companion. He hadn't even seen her move, really, having closed his eyes. "K-Kit?" He gasped, seeing the fiercely protective look in her eyes, blazing and almost burning into his cerulean eyes. She wrenched the sword from his grasp and threw it aside, her gauntlet getting caught and going with it. Her eyes grew wide at that, and in that instant he saw what was underneath the gauntlet.

A dark triangle was on the back of her wounded hand, and it was pulsating with a light glow. He looked down to his hand, where underneath the gauntlet it bore the mark for the Triforce of Courage. His blue eyes moved back to her emotionally darkened orbs. "…Kit… He took a step forward and her eyes blazed. He took a step back, keeping his hands up in the sign for surrender. When she got like this it was best not to interfere.

She reached into their Bag of Holding and dug down into the depths of it, and brought out a bottle that held an orb of pink light with wings.

"What are you doing?" The high-pitched screech went unheeded by the one it was directed at as the uncorked the bottle and pointed it down towards the gaping would in the dying boy's chest. As the fairy began its work something hit the redhead on the side of the face. She looked over to see a rather pissed off fairy, judging on how the light was red-tinged. "What. Are. You doing? And what's that on the back of your hand, eh?" She knocked into her forehead, hard. Kit bit her lip but didn't push the fairy away.

"…I don't know what this mark is." She sighed, starting off with the thing that she had hidden for the longest. "When I woke up in the Sacred Realm, I had it, just like you did with yours. I suspect, however, that it's the supposedly empty spot in the middle of the triforce; a by-product. It may not even hold any power, but apparently the goddesses found it appropriate to designate it to me and to bring me here to join you on your quest." She itched at the thing absently. "It's not even considered a piece, I suppose; but I guess something has to be there to secure the pieces all together."

"…Why are you saving him?" Link asked, and she frowned.

"Didn't you look into his eyes? Or listen to me at the beginning of the fight? He was being controlled, Link. He wasn't doing this of his own will. When you stabbed him in the chest…When he began to die, his pupils came back. He made a noise of pain, and I saw humanity in his eyes…I'm doing what I feel is right. I will not allow you to hurt him." She growled the last bit.

"But he's evil! Look at him, he's practically darkness!" The fairy screeched in her ear, and this earned an angered swat, the first in a long time. Navi hit Link's chest with a huff.

She gave a deep frown. "Darkness doesn't necessarily mark one as evil, fairy," She spat. "I could be said to be like darkness, right? I wear the colours, certainly enough, on a regular basis. I even have this," She raised her hand up, the triangle blaring out on her pale skin. "And it could be considered darkness because it's a dark patch of skin. Sheik and Impa aren't evil, are they? And they're members of a shadow race…Stop believing in stereotypes such as that; it's childish to think darkness equals evil." She wiped the hair out of the dark-haired boy's eyes gently, the eyelids beginning to flutter open. After they opened the crimson looked up into her dark, warm brown orbs that met his confusion, frustration and overall sadness with kindness, concern and gentleness that he clung to her in an instant like a frightened child does to one's mother. She couldn't blame him, either.

"Shh, Shh…" She tried to soothe him as he cried, his wails piercing the room as the illusion faded. They were in a plain room, the blue-ish stone damp. "It's fine. It's fine…You're not under anyone else's control but your own anymore, I'm here."

He cried for ten minutes, and she hadn't made a move to leave him at all, afraid he might not take it well since he was in a delicate state. "T…Thank you." He spoke, his voice just a bit deeper than Link's, smoother. It was hoarse from crying.

She leaned back and sat cross-legged. "Are you okay?"

"I…I'm better than I was. I didn't like that feeling. It was scary."

"Being controlled?" He bit his lip and nodded. "…I haven't been alive for very long." He spoke hesitantly. "That scary man made me and then forced me to stay here. I could see everything, but I couldn't do anything. I didn't even know why I'm here or how long I've been here." His lip began to wobble again, and she went over to his side, and she wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He had copied her sitting position, so it was a great deal more comfortable than their position had been before. Link had stayed near them, trying to comfort the other male as best he could.

"It's fine. His control's broken over you. I can't sense his magic anymore." She muttered softly. "What's your name?"

"…I don't have one." He spoke in a tiny voice.

She frowned. "Well, that's not going to do! Since you look like my 'adopted' brother over there," She jacked a thumb in his direction, air-quoting the 'adopted', "How about Dark Link…No, no. Not all of that…How about just Dark?" She suggested brightly.

He looked at her with happy eyes and hugged her again. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He was so happy he had a name—he felt like he truly existed. He wasn't just a puppet for that nasty man. He was Dark. Not a shadow of someone or some mindless look-alike. Dark.

She patted him on the back. "Its fine, Dark. It's fine. Come here, Link." He came over and kneeled down on the floor. She decided to do some proper introductions even though the point seemed to be moot. "Dark, this is Link. Link, Dark. Navi," The little orb of light chimed to bring Dark's attention to her. "This is Dark."

"Hi." He waved a bit shyly.

"Hi…" Link blinked, and after she was poked by the blonde the fairy grudgingly gave a hello.

"Do you want to go outside?" She asked, and he nodded.

"I…All I've known is this place, though." He seemed depressed by that thought and a bit cautious of leaving.

"Don't worry. I'll teach you what you need to know once we get out of here. By the way…" She smiled. "My name's Kit."

"You're pretty, Kit." He giggled innocently. She laughed and flashed him a smile.

"Thank you. Now, come along… We have a duty to fulfill."

"…What's the duty?" He asked innocently, and Link rolled his eyes and took the lead, letting Kit take care of their new companion. He trusted her judgment and had also noticed that the other young man hadn't been quite all-there during the battle. In the next room they got the longshot—which according to the redhead would be of much use. The hookshot had a rather short reach at times.

XxXxXxXxX

After finding out that Dark had his own Zora Tunic, he was able to follow them through the entire temple. Unfortunately this included in either having him clinging onto Link so he wouldn't float away or by having Kit drag him everywhere—which wasn't so bad, really, except for her hair kept getting caught on the buckles of his gear—but he fought well. She supposed that his skill was truly up to par with Link's, which would be a welcome help. She was a good fighter too, but there were some things she had a disadvantage with. Such as anything height-related, because she was only five-three, and anything that had to do with weight because she wasn't all that heavy.

Whenever they came across Rupees she placed them in her own pockets, explaining that now that Dark was with them he would need things of his own, and that she could take a mission from Sheik or someone to raise more money to appease the bubble-encased fairy. The black-haired male rarely stayed by himself, having gotten enough of being alone in that horrid room.

Soon they entered the boss room. Kit had dragged Dark up the slope as he had stared reproachfully at the blade-traps that moved. He seemed a lot better than he had back in that room—he wasn't too shy, but he was almost childlike.

'He learns quickly.' Indeed, he soaked up information more readily than a sponge with water. She would barely have to teach him anything once outside the temple. He had known a few things, but it was all information on fighting, gear, monsters, and just basic knowledge. Thank goodness she didn't need to give him 'the talk' like she had had to with Link.

Her hands felt oddly naked without her gauntlets, which were in the Bag of Holding…She would have to try to sell them at Kakariko next, she knew, because she needed new ones anyway. She'd had the same ones through two temples, and to be honest she was shocked they'd survived that long, as they weren't enchanted with protective charms as Link's were. Or maybe she could get them mended…

She heard splashing noises and nudged Dark behind her. "We're going to have to fight a monster, okay?" He nodded. "Be careful." She saw the spikes covering one of the walls and did not like where this was going.

She kept him back in a corner, telling him to wait until they knew the pattern and weak point of the boss, and he listened. She walked along the pool's edge, seeing that there were ladders underneath the water that led up to the four square platforms. The water held a strange energy, and she could nearly feel it moving about. She got a queer feeling of something squishy, gelatin-like in mass. She was concentrating so hard that she didn't realize there was a transparent purplish-blue-ish tentacle rising up out of the water behind her.

"Kit!" Link shouted, and she turned around just in time to have the tentacle wrap itself around her and jerk her off her feet.

K.L.K- Okay, I think I'll stop there for this chapter.

Kit- What? Oh, you're just pure evil…

K.L.K- (eyebrow raise)…So?

Kit- (twitch)…Anyway, so Ruto got a little more time to think it through?

K.L.K- Yeah. And Dark's there too, finally. I started this fanfiction with the entire purpose of saving him from his fate.

Link- Is this going to end up Dark Link/Link, or did you just draw inspiration from those other stories?

K.L.K-…I'm not going to say.

Link- (sticks his tongue out)

Kit- Spoilsport.

K.L.K- (rolls eyes) Mm-hm…(joins Dark on the couch)

Dark- This is delicious! (Bites into a slice of pizza)

K.L.K- Well, you were hungry. I suppose practically dying then being brought back by a fairy does that to a person. I also didn't include much of the Water Temple because, to be honest, it would take SO LONG to get the details out and then it wouldn't be any fun to write.

Link-…Ah. I see.

Kit- Well, since the Authoress said I could do it this time…Please review.

K.L.K- (beams) for once they're not just cutting me off! WHOO! (Fist pump)

Dark- … (looks at mostly empty bag of Wint-o-green Lifesavers but says nothing)