The camp's latest activity of the day was canoeing.

Everyone and their bunk mates had to choose their canoe and work together rowing along the lake, across the stream, and meet up later for lunch at the local water mill, as long as they were careful to avoid the rapids at the fork.

The counselors got their own canoe and were in charge of supervising the event.

Head counselor Impa made sure everyone played by the rules and safety conditions were properly regulated while vice counselor Ingo got lazy and slacked off on the life guard's chair built by the edge of the lake.

"Counselor Ingo!"

Head counselor Impa shouted to her partner who jumped in his seat, nearly falling off.

"I need you to keep surveillance over the boys while I check on the girls."

Ingo grumbled angrily under his breath as he reluctantly got down and wandered over to the boys.

"Surveillance the boys she says," he said, "The great Ingo shouldn't be reduced to wasting his summer watching over a bunch of brats."

He first walked over to Fledge and his bunk mate Beedle, tending to their canoe.

"Your canoe's as pathetic as your wit." he insulted.

He then walked over to Groose and Eagus, "Sure hope your extra weight doesn't cause you two to sink." the two glared at him as he moved over to Cawlin and Stritch.
Meanwhile, Link and Pipit were at their canoe, tending to it before it was time to cast off. Pipit Looked up at his bunk mate who was mostly looking off into space while he quietly worked.

"Um... Hey Link," he said, "You okay?"

Link hadn't seem to have heard him.

"Link. Link!"

The blonde finally looked up at his bunk mate. "H-huh? What?"

"I was asking if you were okay."

"U-uh, yeah I'm fine."

Pipit was worried for Link. Though he was glad that the blonde was responding to him for the first time.

He had a strange dream two nights ago where he saw Link in the arms of another person with white hair and gray skin. The thought of his crush ending up with another filled Pipit's head with dark thoughts.

He wasn't normally a possessive person but if anyone, even if they were a girl, took Link from him he'd punch them. He shook those thoughts away and tried once again to make conversation.

"You remember last night when we were playing truth or dare, and you picked truth?"

"Yeah?"

"You said there was someone you liked, who are they?" Link's face flushed at his question and he avoided eye contact. "You can tell me." Link's lips were sealed and he pretended to be more absorbed in the boat. Pipit frowned.

"C'mon I can keep a secret."

"Keep what a secret?" the boys looked up to see counselor Ingo leering down at them.

"Counselor Ingo!" Pipit spoke, "Um, we were just talking."

"About what? How retarded your friend here looks?"

Pipit was shocked at his words; Ingo turned his attention to Link, who hadn't appeared to be listening. "But don't get me wrong, I don't really think you're stupid kid.

You just have bad luck at thinking." Ingo laughed.

"I'm sorry what?" Link looked up at the condescending counselor who rolled his eyes.

"You're so annoying. No wonder girls don't like you."

"Counselor Ingo." Counselor Impa came into view. Ingo jumped at her voice, trying to look natural. "Is everything under regulation?"

"Uh y-yes ma'am! Everything's under control!"

Impa raised an eyebrow at him before checking her watch. "We cast off in ten. Until then I'm going to go over the guidelines again so I want everyone to gather at the edge of the lake." She then took the whistle around her neck and blew into it to get the attention of the campers.

She left the spot and the boys followed her. Ingo remained where he stood, grumpily, the only reason he took the job was because income was low at home and no other job offers would take him. Counseling at this stupid camp was the best he could come across.

Angrily he kicked the stern end of Link and Pipit's boat, leaving a dent.
n~n~n

Everyone got their canoes in the water and boarded them. The counselors lead the way in their own canoe while the campers followed behind.

Pipit and Link lagged behind, placing their oars away and letting the gentle current carry them and hoping to catch up with the rest when they've reached the river fork. Link let out a sigh and drifted off into space with a sad look.

"Whoa that was a big sigh," Pipit spoke, adjusting in his side of the canoe to face Link. Since they were alone now he decided to take this opportunity to speak with him. "Something on your mind?"

Link just sort of gazed into the distance, thinking about last night. He knew his lover was real and one way or another he will return to him. "It's... nothing."

"Are you sure? You look depressed?"

"I said I'm fine, Pipit."

Pipit looked at his crush in concern and decisively changed the subject.

"Sure is a nice day for this huh?" he said.

"Uh-huh." said Link blankly.

Momentary pause.

"Real nice weather huh?" said Pipit.

"Uh-huh." replied Link.

The freckled brunette ran out of things to talk about, he felt so awkward right now, thinking hesitantly about what to say next. Though one thing that was on his mind was, 'is there anyone you like?' But he didn't dare voice it out loud.

It came as a shock when Link suddenly spoke.

"Have you ever been in love?"

Pipit's face turned to a look of confusion. Link continued.

"Has there ever been someone in your life that you felt so strongly for that it hurt?"

"W-well... maybe..."

"And yet you feel that you can't discuss it for fear that no one would understand?"

Pipit's face started to flush a faint, pink, tint. The blonde was hitting rather close to home for him.

"Mn... kind of..."

Link then directed his attention to Pipit for the first time.

"It's a cruel world isn't it? It feels like life is trying to keep you and your loved one apart and there's not much else you can do but deal with it."

"Well..." Pipit stammered, choosing his words carefully, "T-to tell you the truth, yes." He felt slightly nervous but remained determined, taking a deep breath. "There was this one time. I tried to confess my feelings to someone but... y'see, a lot of people tend to have certain... expectations reguarding relationships."

Link raised a brow curiously. "You mean you and Karane aren't dating?"

Pipit cringed and snarled in frustration, blushing. "That's the problem. I never told anyone this but no girl has ever caught my eye."

Link was shocked to hear this. "What do you mean Pipit?" he asked.

They looked straight into each others eyes. Pipit gave a serious look and took a breath.

"What I'm trying to say is-"

But before he could utter another word something bumped hard against the side of their boat. It was at that moment they realized the current was getting faster. They had been so deep in conversation that they missed the fork and the current carried them into the rapids!

Pipit hastily turned back around and grabbed one of the oars, Link grabbing the second.

"Look for shore!" called Pipit.

They rowed and dodged whatever debris came their way, desperately searching for some signs of shore. The speed increased, the canoe rocked, and the water splashed and pulled them into a treacherous, wide, river.

"Hang on Link!"

Many rocks were standing above the water, bumping and scraping against their boat, to make matters worse one of them crashed against the dent Ingo made in their boat earlier and opened it into a hole, causing water to flow inside.

"There's a leak in the boat!" yelled Link seeing the hole while his side started to flood.

Pipit turned to see water gathering in their canoe and shot out a hand for Link to grab. He pulled Link to him, not seeing the bolder ahead of them.

They violently crashed, which caused the canoe to flip, they grabbed their overturned canoe, soaking wet.

"Link, are you alright?" Pipit panted.

"I-I think so." replied Link also panting.

Pipit turned his head and spotted a low, sturdy-looking, root hanging from the side of the river.

"Take my hand!" he said to Link.

Link took his hand as Pipit made a reach for the root. He grabbed it, pulling the both of them out of the water while their canoe floated away.
"I'll try and pull us up, hold on!" Pipit said, keeping hold on the root and Link's hand.

Unfortunately mid pull their wet hands lost their grip and Link fell back in.

"LINK!"

The current dragged Link away from Pipit. The blonde panicked and sputtered, doing whatever he could to keep his head above the water. Pipit meanwhile pulled himself out and ran after the other.

"P-P-Pipit!" Link called.

"Link hang on!" Pipit yelled back, searching for a branch or anything for Link to grab while he followed his friend, keeping an eye on him. He was horrified to see a whirlpool up ahead, the vortex spinning and sucking in debris.

"Link watch out!"

Link tried to swim away but couldn't fight the whirlpool's strong pull. All looked bleak, there didn't seem to be any way of saving Link. That was when a hand shot out and grabbed the collar of Link's shirt, yanking him onto shore.

Pipit watch from the other side of the river as what looked like an exotic person with white hair and grayish skin took Link into their arms out of the rapids. They carried the blonde boy gingerly before delivering a quick glare to Pipit and slinking off with Link.
n~n~n

Ghirahim's POV

The alleged monster of the forest crept through the wood, carrying the carcass of a large buck on his back.

He had gone hunting and was on his way home to store his meal for later, his thoughts turned to his mate, Link as the humans called him. The Naga suddenly felt hungry for more than deer meat, he could barely contain his need.

He remembered how Link sucked him off, how his lips wrapped and inhaled his member so voraciously and desperately.

Oh yes, his mouse wanted him so badly. Once a living being falls under his hypnotic powers they couldn't resist. Though most of the time he only ever needed his abilities for hunting prey, though since meeting link he may have had taken advantage a tad.

Though he knew had to be patient, mating season wasn't until the next coming full moon and that was two weeks from now. Until then he would have to move on with his life all the while keeping an eye on his precious mate from a distance.

The sound of rushing water reached his ears, he must've been close to the river.

Feeling the need for a quick drink, he crept closer until the river came into view. He stood at it's edge, placing the dead buck next to him, and scooped up several handfuls, bringing it up to his lips.

It was at that moment that a faint pair of voices sounded from the distant. Ghirahim looked over to see a small boat coming his way, the camp must be having another canoeing trip, he had to hide.

The Naga grabbed his meal and retreated into the bushes, watching through the leaves. The canoe contained two young lads, one dressed in yellow with brown hair and another in green with blonde hair.

Ghirahim's curious eyes laid on the blonde, it was Link, his mouth curled into a delighted grin and he abandoned his catch and began to stealthfully follow them.
If the naga could just swim over to him, but he couldn't risk the other young man seeing him. Upon inspection Ghirahim noticed this other boy as his mouse's bunkmate.

What was his name again? The naga pondered, Ah no matter.

He watched the two of them as he listened in on their conversation, "Has there ever been someone in your life that you felt so strongly for that it hurt?" he heard Link speak. "And yet you feel that you can't discuss it for fear that no one would understand?"

Ghirahim gave a soft chuckle, his human mate must've been talking about him.

"It's a cruel world isn't it? It feels like life is trying to keep you and your loved one apart and there's not much else you can do but deal with it."

That wounded Ghirahim a little. It was true, humans were cruel and no one would truly accept their relationship. That was why Link would have to 'vanish' from human society in order to be with the snake creature.

"T-to tell you the truth, yes."

Ghirahim shot up in curiosity when the other young man spoke.

"There was this one time. I tried to confess my feelings to someone but... y'see, a lot of people tend to have certain... expectations regarding relationships."

This should be interesting, thought the snake.

"You mean you and Karane aren't dating?" Link said.

"That's the problem." said the yellow clad youth. "I've never told anyone this but no girl has ever caught my eye."

"What do you mean Pipit?" Link asked.

Ghirahim caught every word and studied the taller male's face which held a flustered look whenever he laid eyes on Link, like one gets around a crush. The Naga grew suspicious, Could that other human have feelings for his little mouse?!

Suspicion turned to anger, Link belonged to him, the lord of the forest! He claimed the young man and marked him as his own! No way no how was the lord of the forest losing his mate to someone else, especially to another human.

Ghirahim watched enviously before taking notice of which direction their canoe was taking them, they had reached the fork where a caution sign stood, and the drifting current dragged them down the direction of the on going rapids.

The Naga started to panic a bit at this and watched helplessly as the two humans were tossed about by the current while they searched frantically for shore up to when their boat got over turned and the taller youth grabbed ahold of a root in attempt to pull themselves out.

When Link slipped out of the other's grip that was when Ghirahim really panicked and followed Link as swiftly as he could, hearing the rush of the whirlpool up ahead.
Thinking fast, Ghirahim hurriedly raced ahead of the direction Link was going until he reached a slope where he could reach for the blonde. Extending an arm he waited until Link splashed by his way and made a grab for the boy's green shirt.

He yanked him out of the river and held the soaking form in his arms, breathing a sigh of relief.

He embraced his mate securely, nuzzling his hair, thankful that he was alive, when he felt a pair of eyes on him. The snake looked up and saw the wet, yellow clad boy standing on the other side of the river with a baffled look. Oh boy, he wasn't gonna hear the end of this.

Ghirahim delivered a glare at him before carrying his little mouse bridal style and slithered away.

Author's note:

Yeah I know, real dumb way to end a chapter but I swear I will get to work on the next chapter and I promise it will be better than this.

Anyway don't forget to follow, favorite, and leave a review. Until then hope to hear from y'all real soon!