It had now been seven years.

Shiroko was a diligent young girl of questionable background with long, brown hair, eyes blue as the lake waters, and a vibrant disposition. She, along with her closest friend Kana, lived among the Kokiri for as long as they could remember. At one time, they fit in well, never noticing how truly different they were until fairies-the marked companions of Kokiri children-long eluded their presence. It was not until seven years ago that they uncover hints at their true origin.

On this day, the seventh year anniversary of their return to Kokiri Forest, Shiroko lay anxious eyes on the rising sunset: a sunset that would not have happened if the Legendary "Hero of Time" hadn't existed. This was it: the moment she waited for. A red-orange light dabbled the distant hills. She picked at her thumb with worrisome teeth. Any moment, now. The light yellowed. Here it comes. Her eyes were wide without a wink. Come on, come on.

"Shiiiirrooooooo!"

Ears ringing, Shiroko's heart lurched as she let out a short squeal. Her other hand gripped the pencil so hard that it snapped.

"Gods, Kana, do you have to be so loud?" Shiroko shouted. Kana jumped back with legitimate fear for the first time ever coming face to face with her gentle-spirited friend.

"Sh-shiro..." Kana approached her from the door. Shiroko fixed her eyes back out at the rising sun, which now peaked boldly from behind the hills. Kana tilted her head curiously, trying to break Shiroko's concentration. She shifted about, waving her hands in front of her face with no reaction. Finally, she kicked Shiroko's chair and stood over her brazenly. "Shiro, wassa matter with you? Are you feeling all right?" The brunette rose up and rubbed her aching side. Kana sighed and helped her up. "C'mon, girl, the kids are waiting. Link may be good at all kinds of combat, but he's only one guy... Shiro, seriously, what's the matter." Kana pressed the back of her hand against Shiroko's forehead, afterwhich her hand was batted away.

"Nothing..." Shiroko grumbled.

Shiroko served as a teacher who, along with Link and Kana, taught some of their curious Kokiri friends much in the way of short and long-ranged combat. She specialized in archery while Link taught swordsmanship and Kana taught magic. Although it was a great way to pass the time and become better acquainted with the Kokiri, there was always a sense of foreboding about teaching combat skills. As if the nightmare never truly ended, Ganondorf might escape from his timely prison and take the kingdom as his own. This is what combat prepares them for, it seems.

It was mostly paranoia on Shiroko's part, but also a very real possibility in her mind. That is why on this day, more than ever, she must be sure that the sun will still rise and that all of Link's hard work had paid off.

"Shiro!" Kana sang from outside. Shiroko jumped up and gazed down at Kana, who already stood outside the house hoping to coax her worried friend out. Kana gazed up at her with wide brown eyes that glistened in the morning light. Her hair was ablaze with a fiery red color that draped far down her back. She too was of uncertain descent much like Shiroko, though they were most likely Hylian just like Link-as noted by the long, pointed shape of their ears and ability to age. Kana was hot-tempered with a heart of gold and specialized in dark magic. She owned a staff that she acquired by questionable means long ago. "Hurry up, we're already late!"

Quickly grabbing her things, Shiroko headed outside to follow her friend through the small village. On the way, they were followed by eager Kokiri children that excitedly called them by name and spoke to them happily.

As they walked, Shiroko suddenly felt something small ricochet off her cheek and yelped. She turned to see who had shot her, and out the corner of her eye, she spotted one of her Kokiri friends darting off to hide behind a tree. Narrowing her eyes, she darted off in the direction of the offending Kokiri boy that shot her with a slingshot. Before he could react, Shiroko had already pounced and had him in a tight headlock.

"Just what do you think you're doing!" Shiroko shouted.

The little boy cried, "GAH! HELP—"

"You think you can mess with me, ya pasty little punk!"

"Shiro!" Kana rushed over, "What'd I tell you about murdering our pupils?"

"Don't do it?" Shiro looked up, giving Kana a snarky grin. She stood up, allowing the boy to jump away from her grasp.

"Save me from the eeeevviiilll!" He jumped behind Kana.

"Will, she's not gonna hurt you; stop it." Kana scowled. Will twitched as Shiro shot him an evil glare. She then smirked and carried on towards the training grounds, which was the same area the Great Deku Tree once stood tall and proud. As she went by Mido's post at the entrance, Mido sat snootily with a book in his hand and shook his head when Kana and Will passed him by.

"Poor pathetic Will… so determined yet so dull. When are you gonna learn to be a man and fight Shiroko head on instead of hiding with a slingshot in your scrawny hands?" Mido scoffed. Will stopped and frowned.

"And when are you gonna stop being such an ass?" Will retorted indignantly.

"When you start growing some cajones." Mido stood, ready to beat the younger Kokiri boy. Will shrieked and rushed to catch up with Kana and Shiroko. He rushed so far ahead that Shiroko grasped the collar of his shirt and kept watch of him. She went on until reaching a clearing up head where, at the center, there stood an ever-grinning fat stub of a tree. Upon feeling Shiroko's presence, the tree stub twittered slightly, its voice light and happy.

"Good morning, Shiro-chan. You came just in time," said the Deku Sprout: descendant of the Great Deku Tree. He was still but a small stub, but soon he would grow to take the Deku Tree's place. Shiroko set her things down by the sprout and smiled cordially.

"Where is everybody?" Shiro looked around, confused.

Kana furrowed her brows and placed a finger to her chin in thought, "Hm... that's odd; they were here a short while ago. I'm sure that blondie mighta taken them into the forest for a little speed-drilling." Will stood idly between the two, which slightly bugged Kana. Suddenly, she looked down at Will and an evil smirk slowly spread across her face. "Now wait a minute, what are you doin' away from the group?"

Will froze, "Uhh-I-uh...was just..."

"You better not be in trouble with your combat teacher."

"N-No! Ya see, he just... uh.. we were-"

"Where is he?" Kana pried.

"I dunno! We don't know! He didn't show up this morning!" Will finally exclaimed.

Kana narrowed her eyes at him incredulously. "Out." She pointed firmly. Will straightened up and nodded vigorously.

"Link should be around here; are you sure you wouldn't know where he is?" Shiroko turned to Kana.

Kana stood and thought. Then she shrugged, "I dunno."

"Hey girls! Up here!" A voice clamored. Shiroko perked and looked around. When Kana looked up, she spotted a figure standing high up on the ledge of a nearby cliff.

"Look!" Kana pointed.

"Link?" Shiroko spun to face the figure up high.

"Hey guys!" Link waved, "I found something up here; you should come up and check it out!"

Shiro shot a curious gaze back at Kana. Kana sighed and rolled her eyes, "What is it?" No response. Kana groaned at Link's insolence and took Shiroko's hand. "C'mon..."

Shiroko giggled.

"Neat hole," said Shiro.

"Where you think it leads?" Link inquired.

"Probably some part of Hyrule we've never been." Kana suggested.

"I'll say- or maybe it just leads to the sewers like last time..."

Shiroko shivered, "Please don't remind me of that..."

Link took Shiro by the hand, "Wanna check it out with me?"

Shiroko winced, "Check it out?"

"Hey, now, wait a minute! You mean to tell me that you cancelled class at the very last minute... all for a stupid hole?" Kana berated. "Link, you can't do that, especially without a heads-up. You know those kids look up to you!"

Link furrowed his eyebrows sadly, "But… I wanna check it out..."

"Just because we're teachers and can do whatever we want doesn't mean you can drag us along on your stupid little adventures and make us miss classes! They're our responsibility, and as adults we must keep-" Kana stopped when she realized she was talking to no one. "GUYS, WAIT UP!" She dove down into the hole after the two.

Link and Shiroko were already a couple feet ahead of Kana as she quickly tried to catch up. "I'm so excited! Where do you think we'll end up?" Link looked about.

"Probably somewhere magical and full of wonder, where every hope and dream ever thought up comes true!" Shiroko said, mystified.

"Or probably a ditch somewhere on the other side of the Deku Sprout..." Kana lowered her eyelids.

Shiro narrowed her eyes at Kana, "I can dream, can't I?"

"I'll pray to the gods that you don't." Kana then looked towards Link, "I don't know how you two tend to drag me into these things. We're gonna get in deep trouble—and it'll be all your fault, Link!" She shouted. Link looked over at her with a bored expression.

"I'm sorry, did you say something? I kinda wasn't paying attention." He said to her flatly. Kana's eyes suddenly flared angrily at him and he chuckled.

"Hey, guys, stop it-look: the end of the tunnel!" Shiro waved her hand at them. Link looked away from Kana and gazed at a light up ahead. The walls grew brighter from the light that poured in. They neared the end of the tunnel and emerged out the other side.

Kana looked around with a raised eyebrow, "So... anyone know where we are?" She asked grumpily, crossing her arms.

"I think I know where we are." Link mused. Link began to think and Kana snickered.

"Does it hurt to think yet, Link?" She asked slyly. He glared at her and rolled his eyes.

"We are-"

"Screwed." A voice came out of nowhere. Kana looked over and her jaw dropped. A shadowy figure stood before them with a scowl on his face, hands on his hips. His glowering red eyes stared them down.

"Well, well, if it isn't Dark Link finally making an appearance after months and months." Link smirked.

"Seriously, it's just Dark." Dark frowned. "What are you morons doing on the other side of the Deku Tree area?" He growled. Kana suddenly turned to her two friends accusingly, giving them a look that said, 'I told you so.'

"Shoot!" Shiro snapped her fingers in disappointment. Dark rolled his eyes.

"Who made that tunnel?" Link questioned.

"I did." Dark scowled as he knelt down to examine the tunnel, "But now it looks like I need to make a new one somewhere else..."

"Why?" Said Shiroko. Dark shot her a cold expression.

"Do I sound like I wanted you guys to discover this tunnel?" He raised one eyebrow with a condescending smirk.

"Oh." Shiro lowered her gaze.

"Exactly." Hearing the sound of kids' voices from the other side of the wall where they stood, Dark went on, "And now it looks like you're going to be late if you don't high-tail it back to your class."

"There's that trouble I mentioned earlier..." Kana huffed.

Shiroko suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no! Kana! The kids!" She grabbed her friend by the shirt, "We have to get back! If we're any later, they're going to eat us alive!"

"You can breathe, Shiroko, calm down!" Kana snapped. "Link, this was your idea so you're gonna be the one to explain our tardiness." As she turned back to the hole, she glanced at Link's dark counterpart, "Sorry for intruding..."

"Whatever. Wasn't your fault anyway." The dark figure folded his arms and turned away. At the last second, he winked at her and Kana smiled knowingly. She then crawled back into the hole, following Shiroko and Link in tow.

More to come in a few days.

-Kittygirl57