CHAPTER THREE: TENSION

Link could tell that Sakura was shaken, so he put a hand on her shoulder. "It will work out, I promise. Come on, let's go back to the hotel. I'm sure that Tomoyo will be glad to give you moral support." Link smiled. Everything was going well. Suddenly he sensed a dark presence, but it vanished as soon as it appeared. Link made a mental note to talk to Impa about it as soon as he could.

Sakura smiled weakly. Did Link know what she had felt? But then, he'd felt it too, hadn't he, when he'd looked through the mirror? "Thank you," Sakura told him again, struggling to get up. Somehow, aside from leaving her shaken, she also felt somehow drained. "Link-san…" She paused, realizing how stupid the words she longed to say might sound. "Link-san, does that mirror show people the… one they love most?" Because now I realize I have feelings for Syaoran-kun, and I don't know what to do.

"That's one of the things it can show you," Link explained. "It can also show you where you need to go, or what you need to do to accomplish your goal."

Sakura gave a nod. "H-hai!" She slowly walked back into the building and, as Link had suggested, searched for her friend to offer words of advice. "Tomoyo-chan?"

She'd barely said it loudly enough for someone standing next to her to hear, but the ever-attentive Tomoyo was at Sakura's side in an instant. "What is it, Sakura-chan?" she asked in delight.

"Um… um, Tomoyo-chan…" Sakura looked at her toes, her face growing red. In fact, she probably looked exactly like Syaoran had when he was about to tell her what he'd been going to after dinner. "I… I think I love…"

Was Sakura going to confess to Tomoyo that she loved her?! This was too good to be true! But no, that couldn't be it. Tomoyo knew that it was Syaoran Sakura loved. But she hadn't known that Sakura knew it herself. This was a surprise. "Yes, Sakura-chan?" she asked politely. If Sakura wanted to tell her, then it had to be Sakura to say it, not Tomoyo.

"I… I think… I think I'm in love with Syaoran-kun," Sakura blurted.

Tomoyo gave a knowing smile. "Ah, so you've finally figured it out, Sakura-chan." Sakura had figured out that she loved him on her own! Good for her! Now all that was left was for Syaoran figure out that she did too.

————

Link walked over to the well and played the Nocturne of Shadow. A mind link was established between him and Impa.

Impa, I felt a dark presence for a brief time. Any ideas?

None yet, Link. The princess and I are trying to figure out what happened as we speak. I'll inform you as soon as we discover anything worth noting.

Thanks, Impa.

The mental connection terminated, and Link headed to the inn to get some hard-earned rest.

————

Syaoran felt it himself: a dark presence. This country had a limitless amount of magic stored in infinite people and objects. He would have to investigate tomorrow. For now, the fifth graders were going to a café.

Sakura sat next to Tomoyo and ate her cake, which was indeed the best she'd ever tasted. She ordered two so she could take one back to the room for Kero-chan. Imagine her eating Hyrule's cakes but not saving any for him? Kero would burn her room to the ground!

Tomoyo noted how quiet Sakura was and decided not to press her. She had some difficult things to think through tonight. Syaoran, however, avoided her entirely. He couldn't face her until he confessed. It was just too awkward otherwise. And if he'd asked Sakura, she probably would have said the same thing, only as to her confession as apposed to his own. Stupid love! Why did it have to ruin such a great friendship?!

————

"Kero-chan! We're back!" Tomoyo took the liberty of talking for both of them tonight. Sakura was tired and confused. It had been a long day for all of them, but especially for the new Master of the Clow. Tomoyo wanted to do whatever she could to help out.

Kero zoomed into Tomoyo's arms with a huge smile. "Yay! I'm so happy! I'm so happy!" He twirled around in the air, circling around the two girls several times before he settled in front of them.

"Someone's excited to see us," said Tomoyo with a grin.

"He just wants the cake," mumbled Sakura sleepily. Tomoyo laughed and handed over Kero's food in a little box with a ribbon.

Kero let out a little cry of happiness and tore open the wrapping to get to the cake inside. Tomoyo giggled and informed him of the day's events, but Sakura climbed into bed and closed her eyes. Though she was exhausted, she knew it would be hours before she fell asleep.

S-Syaoran-kun… how can I tell him how I feel when he's engaged to someone else?

————

In the center of Hyrule Field, there is a ranch. This ranch is run by three people: Talon, his daughter Malon, and Ingo. At this moment, Malon was standing in the middle of the corral singing her mother's song. Her father walked out into the corral and stood next to her.

"You sound just like your mother, you know."

"Thanks, Dad. I wish I remembered more about her, but at least I'll always have your stories."

"Heh, well, enough about the past," Talon said with a smile. "I received a letter that a group of foreign students are visiting here tomorrow."

"Oh!" cried Malon. "There's so much to do! I'll have to get up early tomorrow and—"

"Don't worry so much, Malon. Did I mention that the tour guide is that Link character you're always talking about?"

Malon's face turned almost as red as her hair. "Dad! Now I need to get up even earlier!"

"I told you not to worry, Malon." Talon shook his head. "Ingo and I agreed to take care of the extra chores tomorrow so that you have time to plan a tour of the ranch. And before you ask, you will get to spend time with Link during the horseback-riding lessons."

"Thanks, Dad." Malon exhaled. "You really know how to calm me down."

"I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't, but it's time for bed."

"All right. I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, they retired to their rooms. Malon fell asleep, dreaming of her hour alone with her Fairy Boy the next day.

————

The next morning, Sakura woke up and dressed by Tomoyo's side, still slightly groggy with the weight of her feelings on her shoulders. She finally decided not to worry about it. Syaoran probably thought of her as a jerk for not spending time with him last night. If they couldn't be each other's number one loves, she at least wanted to be his friend.

After saying goodbye to Kero and promising they would bring him back food from the ranch, the two set off for the hallway downstairs to meet with the other fifth graders. Sakura spotted Syaoran standing moodily off by himself. There was no time like the present. She hurried to his side and gave him a cheerful smile.

"Good morning, Syaoran-kun!"

Syaoran's face flushed crimson. Sakura wondered suddenly if he somehow knew how she felt. But then, he'd always been like that. Poor Syaoran. He was so shy!

"G… g'morning… Sakura."

————

As the group arrived at the ranch, Link could feel his heart beating faster. He tried his best to calm himself down, and he succeeded to a certain degree, as he was able to give the introductory speech.

"This is Lon Lon Ranch. Today you will be learning about life here. You will have an opportunity to sample the famous Lon Lon Milk, which is the milk that the Royal Family drinks. You will also have a horseback-riding lesson. There will be other activities as well, so you will have plenty to do. Ah, here's Malon, one of the owners of the ranch."

Link was starting to have trouble focusing on anything but Malon—the way her hair seemed to flow even though there wasn't any wind. Of course, the same could be said about his hat, but that wasn't the point. Link was in a different world and he knew it.

"Ooh, Malon-san is so pretty!" Sakura whispered to Tomoyo, who smiled and nodded. "And horseback-riding lessons! That sounds really fun!"

"I'm glad to see you're cheerful again, Sakura-chan," said Tomoyo, who couldn't take her eyes off of Sakura's playful smile.

"What about you, Syaoran-kun?" Sakura forced her grin to continue even though her heart was suddenly racing. "D-do you think horseback-riding lessons sound fun?"

Syaoran's red face gave a nod. "Meilin and I took lessons together one summer, but she enjoyed it more than I did. We were maybe seven, and I haven't been since, so it'll be good to try it again."

Sakura's heart gave a huge thump. "Meilin and I…" Syaoran and Meilin had a whole past together that Sakura knew nothing about. The two of them had grown up together, experienced the same things, and been there for each other through thick and thin. Sakura had only known Syaoran for maybe a year at most. How could she expect to compete with someone like Meilin?

"Hi, everyone!" Malon announced cheerfully. "I'm Malon, and today you'll be learning about life here at Lon Lon. If you'll follow me, I'll show you the barn."

Link followed the group into the barn. At least, he appeared to follow the group. He was really just following Malon. Navi flew out of his hat and flew around his head.

"Wha? Oh, it's you, Navi. Thanks for snapping me out of that. I could have tripped."

"Don't mention it, but you've got to pull it together. You have an hour alone with her during the lessons. That's your chance!"

"Right, chance. Got it."

"You can do it, Link," said Navi encouragingly. "I believe in you."

"I'm glad someone does."

"With that attitude, you'll never get anything done!"

Link thought for a moment. "You're right, Navi. I know that this will work out. I just have to follow through."

"That's the spirit! You just need to keep your cool until it's time for the lessons."

"I can do that." Link sounded a lot more confident than he had back at the village.

————

I've got to tell him… forget about Meilin-chan; I've got to tell him…

I've got to tell her… forget about Tsukishiro-san; I've got to tell her…

But they're in love with someone else!

Don't think like that! If you don't confess soon, you're going to explode and you know it!

Completely oblivious to the fact that the same thing was going through both of their minds, Sakura and Syaoran walked together in silence to the barn for horseback riding. Tomoyo stood in the middle, knowing both of their secrets yet harboring her own, just smiling. Just smiling.

I really should tell Sakura-chan how I feel, but… she's in love with Li-kun. I promised I would tell on field day last year. I promised myself, I promised her. But… Sakura-chan… how will she react? I know she doesn't love me back, and I don't want to ruin our friendship. But I've got to tell her. Somehow.

I've got to tell Syaoran-kun how I feel!

I've got to tell Sakura how I feel!

…but how…?

————

Link and Malon walked slowly around the ranch, talking about trivial things and telling jokes. Suddenly Link stopped laughing. "Malon, there's something very important I need to tell you." Link made sure that they had stopped walking within earshot of Syaoran and Sakura.

"What is it, Link?" Malon asked, concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine," Link assured her hurriedly. "It's just that, well… for a while… what I mean is… can I start over?"

Malon laughed. "Sure, Link. So what did you want to say?"

Link mumbled something and looked at his feet.

"What did you say?"

"I said, 'I love you.' Okay! There! I said it! Is everybody happy now?" Link looked around as if he expected an affirmative answer form a tree or the house.

Malon, on the other hand, was still processing the information. He loves me? Am I asleep? I should say something!

Instead of saying something, Malon half walked, half fell towards Link, who caught her gracefully in his arms. They stayed like that for a while, until Malon managed to make out the words, "I love you too." The pair sat down against a tree together, mentally drained.

————

"Why are Link-san and Malon-san lying against that tree?" Sakura asked innocently as the group finally approached the barn. "Doesn't Malon-san need to show us around? I'll go ask them." She started off, heading for the tree, when Tomoyo grabbed her arm.

"Sakura-chan…" Tomoyo shook her head very slightly, as if scolding a naughty but lovable puppy. "Let Link-san and Malon-san have some time alone."

"But why?" asked Sakura blankly.

Tomoyo grinned slyly. "Well, wouldn't you want some time alone with the person you loved without being interrupted, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura's face turned from pale to flaming in half a second. "H-hai," she muttered. I'd love some time alone with Syaoran-kun.

"We should… set up something back at the hotel," said Syaoran shiftily. Sakura looked up in shock. "You know," Syaoran went on, even redder now. Why does she look so surprised? "For you to get some time alone with Tsukishiro-san?"

Sakura, gaping, managed to slowly close her mouth. She'd thought Syaoran had been talking about the two of them! Yukito-san… she liked him a whole not, but not like that, at least not anymore. But of course Syaoran wouln't want to be alone with her, because he had his own person he loved most, right?

"If only Meilin-chan hadn't gone back to Hong Kong," Sakura told him shakily. "Then you and Meilin-chan could have some time alone together too, Syaoran-kun."

Syaoran's face blushed a deep crimson. "M-Meilin?!"

Sakura nodded. "Mei-lin-chan," she said slowly, in case he hadn't heard her the first time. "You know, since the two of you are engaged and all? You deserve some time alone."

Syaoran looked at his toes. Of course Sakura would think he loved Meilin. He had sworn to marry her unless he found another girl he loved more. Now he'd found her, all right: Sakura. But Sakura didn't return his feelings, so she wanted him to be with Meilin, even though he didn't really love her.

"Thanks," Syaoran muttered quietly. "But Meilin's not here right now. It's just… the three of us."

"H-hai!" Sakura tried to smile. Both their faces now were the color of the brightest fire trucks now. Tomoyo stood beside them, understanding both sides but never interfering. This wasn't her place to do so. Her time for love was not now. Now was Sakura's.

————

Link and Malon would have stayed under the tree forever, but suddenly Link received a message from Impa.

Impa, now is really not the best time.

You need to draw the Master Sword again,Impa said urgently.

What?! Why?

We don't know for sure, but a dark cloud is looming over Hyrule. Something terrible is going to happen soon.

I understand. I'll head to the Temple of Time as soon as I can.

Link turned to Malon seriously. "Impa said that something terrible is going to happen soon, and that I need the Master Sword."

Malon's face shifted to one of worry.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," Link pledged. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. Tell your father to bar the gates as soon as we leave."

"All right." Malon's voice was shaky.

"Everything will be fine, I promise." Link leaned in and gave Malon a brief kiss before standing up and gathering the students together. "Unfortunately, it's time to go back to the inn, but I hope you enjoyed your stay at the ranch," he informed them.

The students grumbled amongst themselves and muttered about not having enough time. Chiharu spoke up, being very fond of animals, "But what about horse-back riding lessons, Link-san?"

Sakura nodded. "I'd been looking forward to them too," she said, clearly disappointed.

"Maybe you could show Sakura-chan how to horseback-ride some other time, Li-kun," Tomoyo suggested gently.

Sakura's face lifted at once. "Really? Syaoran-kun as my teacher?"

Syaoran was taken aback. "No, Sakura—I mean I haven't since—I have no idea how to—I can't teach—"

"I don't mind," Sakura said with a smile. "That would be great!"

"O-okay," Syaoran said hesitantly. "I could t-try."

Sakura positively beamed. "Come on, Syaoran-kun." She held out her hand. Would he take it? It struck her that she'd done the same thing at the airport just yesterday, and it had seemed like simply a friendly gesture. Now, it seemed nothing but a sign of deepest passion. Would he take her hand or not?!

All right, Syaoran. Calm down. She did the same thing at the airport, remember? Just take it. Syaoran smiled back and slipped his hand into hers. Holding hands like such, they walked back to then hotel together.

————

As soon as they reached the inn, Link instructed the Royal Guard who was usually stationed at the mountain pass to instead guard the entrance to the village. Link called Epona and rode as fast as he could to the market. Once there, he dashed into the Temple of Time and walked up to the Sword resting in the pedestal. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the hilt and pulled the Master Sword out once again. Now he was ready.

Suddenly, there was a crash of thunder and a rush of wind. Link ran outside to see a dark cloud covering the sky, as well as an immense evil presence. Link could see the emergency evacuation path to Kakariko had been opened, and that the only people left in the market were soldiers. Link leaped onto Epona and rode back to the village as fast as he could.

————

Almost as soon as they were back at the inn, Syaoran and Sakura both felt it. He looked at her with an expression dead serious, his face its normal pale color again. When danger was afoot, there was no time for love.

"You feel it, Sakura?"

Sakura nodded, her face its normal color as well. This wasn't about their relationship, she reminded herself, but their duties. "Hai, I do. What do you think it is?"

Tomoyo looked worried. "Sakura-chan?"

"A huge magical presence," Syaoran impatiently explained, "different from anything else in this country. It gives off such bad vibes—there no way it can be anything good."

Sakura piped up just then. "And it's getting closer."

As everyone rambled off to their rooms, Kero somehow got the door open to the girls' and escaped down the hallway. Sakura saw him coming and enveloped him in her arms so no one would see him. "Kero-chan! What are you doing?"

"He feels it too," Syaoran said simply. "Let's go."

Sakura turned. "Huh?"

"Let's go. We can't let this thing come forward unmatched."

Finally she understood. Sakura gave a quick nod and followed Syaoran outside. "Let's."

————

"Key that hides the forces of the stars… reveal your true form before me! I, Sakura, by the covenant command you…

"RELEASE!"

As the key around her neck turned into a long, star-tipped staff, Syaoran pulled out his trusted keychain and turned it into a sword in his hands. Tomoyo ran inside to grab her video camera and a new tape of film, and then the four were off.

————

Link arrived at the village to see Sakura holding a staff and Syaoran holding a sword. He rode up alongside them. "This is something that neither of you have had any experience with. I should be telling you to go inside, but my adventure started when I was nine, so I guess I have to let you help out."

"We're eleven," snarled Syaoran, glaring the tour guide in the eyes. "And you can't stop us from helping even if you want to."

"Syaoran-kun!" Sakura cried. "He said we could help!"

Syaoran's face grew red. Admittedly he hadn't really expected this and hadn't been paying attention. "I… okay."

"We do have a lot of experience with magic, Link-san," Sakura added to Link, though unlike Syaoran, she said it in a very polite voice. She gave him a smile. "I promise we won't be a burden!"

Syaoran was disgusted by her gooey politeness, but it was probably better to be nice to Link. Though Syaoran would never admit it, Link could probably overpower him in a minute, and if Link didn't want them coming, he could easily stop them.

"I'm coming too," Kero said loftily. "Unlike Sakura and the brat, I've got 300 years o' magical battles on my side. I'm good with this stuff."

"And I'm coming along to videotape Sakura-chan's heroic actions!" Tomoyo said joyously. Sakura could almost see hearts reflected in Tomoyo's eyes as she hugged her camera to her chest. "I can't miss one second where I could be filming one of Sakura-chan's adventures, Link-san!"

"Right," said Link, very businesslike. "The first thing we need to do is make sure that there's noting potentially threatening inside the village. Sakura, do you have a sword? When fighting monsters in Hyrule, you absolutely need a sword. If you don't have one, I can lend you one."

Sakura nodded. "H-hai! I've got one!" She was a little nervous using magic around Link, but she didn't want to be left behind. She pulled a Clow Card out from her pocket and swung the Star Wand down on it. "Card made by Clow! Lend your powers to my key! SWORD!" The Card disappeared, and her staff was replaced by a long, thin, expertly carved sword. She held it dramatically above her head for Link to see. "See?"

Link gave her an approving nod. "After we secure the village, we'll need to go out into the field to rescue anyone trapped outside. After that, we'll head to the market and check on the soldiers. If they aren't holding up, we'll cover them as they fall back to the village. Can you handle that?"

"Sounds like a good strategy," Kero agreed.

"Let's go," Syaoran said gravely. "There isn't any time to lose."